caliper

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used especially to measure diameter or thickness
usually used in plural
a pair of calipers
b
: a device for pressing a frictional material (such as a brake pad) against the sides of a rotating wheel or disc
2
: thickness especially of paper, cardboard, or a tree

Illustration of caliper

Illustration of caliper
  • caliper 1a

caliper

2 of 2

verb

transitive verb

: to measure by or as if by calipers

Examples of caliper in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Brembo calipers are used in conjunction with dual front discs and a single rear disc for braking. New Atlas, 9 Dec. 2024 Smith uses a variety of tools to engrave, from calipers to get the proper measurements using some mathematical equations to make sure it is centered perfectly. Bruce Martin, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
Standard Tornado Red calipers signal to the 99.999999 percent that this is indeed the V-8 trim. Tony Markovich, Car and Driver, 12 Jan. 2018 See all Example Sentences for caliper 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of caliber

First Known Use

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caliper was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near caliper

Cite this Entry

“Caliper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliper. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

caliper

noun
cal·​i·​per
ˈkal-ə-pər
: a measuring instrument with two legs or jaws that can be adjusted to determine thickness, diameter, or distance between surfaces
usually used in plural
a pair of calipers

Medical Definition

caliper

1 of 2 noun
cal·​i·​per
variants or chiefly British calliper
1
: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used to measure thickness, diameter, and distance between surfaces
usually used in plural
a pair of calipers
2

caliper

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British calliper
: to measure by or as if by calipers

More from Merriam-Webster on caliper

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