calibrate

verb

cal·​i·​brate ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce calibrate (audio)
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 noun

Examples of calibrate in a Sentence

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rule and subjection are calibrated by appearances that the first couple interprets guided by their faculty of reason. Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 Missing Person is supposedly chemically calibrated to smell like your memory of a loved one. Rose Dommu, Them, 11 Dec. 2024 That includes cleaning the vehicles, charging them, and making sure that the sensors are calibrated and unobstructed. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2024 It’s precisely calibrated to dispense 1 gram (0.04 ounces) of oil per spray. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for calibrate 

Word History

Etymology

caliber + -ate entry 4, perhaps after French calibrer

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calibrate was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near calibrate

Cite this Entry

“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

calibrate

verb
cal·​i·​brate ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce calibrate (audio)
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 How to pronounce calibrate (audio)
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 noun
calibrator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on calibrate

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