calibrate

verb

cal·​i·​brate ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt 

calibrated; calibrating

transitive verb

1

: to ascertain the caliber of (something)

2

: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (something, such as a thermometer tube)

3

: to standardize (something, such as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors

4

: to adjust precisely for a particular function

calibrate a thermometer

5

: to measure precisely

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine

especially : to measure against a standard

calibrator

ˈka-lə-ˌbrā-tər 

noun

Examples of calibrate in a Sentence

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine

Recent Examples on the Web

The technology will only get more polished, the mannerisms more finely calibrated, the over-all effect more persuasive. —Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026

Putin will probably calibrate his interference to maintain a veneer of plausible deniability. —Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

Loesing leaned into that midcentury history and also the Tootlas’ desire to make the home a reflection of their taste rather than something calibrated to appeal to some future buyer. —Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026

In the first season, that emotionality felt calibrated. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

caliber + -ate entry 4, perhaps after French calibrer

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for calibrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

calibrate

verb

cal·​i·​brate ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt 

calibrated; calibrating

1

: to measure the caliber of

2

a

: to determine, correct, or put the measuring marks on (as a tire pressure gauge)

b

: make standard (as a measuring instrument) by finding out and correcting for the differences from an accepted or ideal value

calibration

ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

calibrate

transitive verb

cal·​i·​brate ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt 

calibrated; calibrating

1

: to ascertain the caliber of (as a thermometer tube)

2

: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (as a thermometer tube)

3

: to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors

calibration

ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

calibrator

ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt-ər 

noun