calibrate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements).
-
to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like.
-
to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits.
-
to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc..
a sales strategy calibrated to rich investors.
verb
-
to measure the calibre of (a gun, mortar, etc)
-
to mark (the scale of a measuring instrument) so that readings can be made in appropriate units
-
to determine the accuracy of (a measuring instrument, etc)
-
to determine or check the range and accuracy of (a piece of artillery)
-
To check, adjust, or standardize a measuring instrument, usually by comparing it with an accepted model.
-
To measure the diameter of the inside of a tube.
Other Word Forms
- calibrater noun
- calibration noun
- calibrator noun
- recalibrate verb (used with or without object)
- uncalibrated adjective
Etymology
Origin of calibrate
Explanation
The word calibrate means making precise measurement. For example, you might want to calibrate your bathroom scale now and then to be sure it’s adjusted for exact weight. Or calibrate it to read five pounds light. We won't tell. To find the origin of calibrate, we must look at its root, caliber, which appeared in the late 15th-century Middle French as calibre, meaning "a degree of importance." Linguists trace that word to an Arabic beginning, the word qalib, which referred to a mold for making bullets. That meaning seems to have carried over to our word, the verb calibrate, which first meant to measure the range of a projectile such as a bullet or shell.
Vocabulary lists containing calibrate
The Fault in Our Stars
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Leap," Vocabulary from the short story
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Georgieva said the Fund was already in talks with Sri Lanka on how to "calibrate" an existing program to meet the country's needs.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Whether that bet pays off remains to be seen, but the broader market later stabilized somewhat as investors continued to calibrate the geopolitical impacts.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026
“We calibrate and validate each device in this butt,” says Hall, who calls it the “key innovation” that made developing the sensor possible.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
They calibrate asset allocation to align your portfolio with your goals and values.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026
It’s true that every writer must calibrate the degree of specialization in her language against her best guess of the audience’s familiarity with the topic.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
