calibrate
verb
cal·i·brate
ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt 
calibrated; calibrating
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
Examples of calibrate in a Sentence
carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
Recent Examples on the Web
From Ukraine to the Middle East, the Biden administration painstakingly calibrated and telegraphed its moves to avoid escalatory spirals.
—
Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Speaking to reporters gathered at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, the hospital where Francis is being treated, Dr. Alfieri had described the difficulties the pope’s medical team was facing to calibrate the right treatment for the pontiff, who has pneumonia but also a complex infection.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Simply select wet or dry mode, click on your attachment of choice, and the tool intelligently calibrates the heat and airflow settings for an efficient styling session without heat damage.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
This scene could easily swing cheesy, but it’s calibrated perfectly.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Speaking to reporters gathered at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, the hospital where Francis is being treated, Dr. Alfieri had described the difficulties the pope’s medical team was facing to calibrate the right treatment for the pontiff, who has pneumonia but also a complex infection.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Simply select wet or dry mode, click on your attachment of choice, and the tool intelligently calibrates the heat and airflow settings for an efficient styling session without heat damage.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
This scene could easily swing cheesy, but it’s calibrated perfectly.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən
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
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