calibrate

[ kal-uh-breyt ]

verb (used with object)

, cal·i·brat·ed, cal·i·brat·ing.

1. to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements).
2. to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like.
3. to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits.
4. to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc.:

   a sales strategy calibrated to rich investors.

calibrate

/ ˈkælɪˌbreɪt /

verb

1. to measure the calibre of (a gun, mortar, etc)
2. to mark (the scale of a measuring instrument) so that readings can be made in appropriate units
3. to determine the accuracy of (a measuring instrument, etc)
4. to determine or check the range and accuracy of (a piece of artillery)

calibrate

/ kăl′ə-brāt′ /

1. To check, adjust, or standardize a measuring instrument, usually by comparing it with an accepted model.
2. To measure the diameter of the inside of a tube.

Derived Forms

• ˌcaliˈbration, noun
• ˈcaliˌbrator, noun

Other Words From

• cal·i·bra·tion [kal-, uh, -, brey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• cal·i·bra·tor cal·i·brat·er noun
• re·cal·i·brate verb (used with or without object) recalibrated recalibrating
• un·cal·i·brat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calibrate¹

First recorded in 1860–65; calib(e)r + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

At 69, Chief Justice John Roberts has plenty of time left to calibrate his retirement for a like-minded successor.

From Slate

It takes an enormous amount of resources and a tremendous number of people working together with a sustained investment to create something and to run and to launch and deploy and calibrate and keep maintaining something like the James Webb Space Telescope.

From Salon

President Biden and his administration, Israel’s constant supplier of weapons and diplomatic support, are trying to calibrate a response that might offer Iran a way to stop the accelerating climb up the ladder of escalation, a phrase strategists use to describe the way wars speed from crisis to disaster.

From BBC

But whatever response it chooses, it will likely calibrate it to be just short of triggering a regional war that would draw in the US and which it could not win.

From BBC

But whatever response Iran chooses, it will likely calibrate it to be just short of triggering a war that it cannot hope to win.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjust
• assess
• average
• check
• compute
• determine
• estimate
• evaluate
• fit
• gauge
• limit
• mark
• peg
• quantify
• rank
• regulate
• survey
• weigh