caliber

[ kal-uh-ber ]

noun

1. the diameter of something of circular section, especially that of the inside of a tube:

   a pipe of three-inch caliber.

2. Ordnance. the diameter of the bore of a gun taken as a unit of measurement.
3. degree of capacity or competence; ability:

   a mathematician of high caliber.

4. degree of merit or excellence; quality:

   the high moral caliber of the era.

   Synonyms: distinction, worth

Other Words From

• cali·bered especially British, cali·bred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caliber¹

1560–70; variant of calibre < Middle French ≪ Arabic qālib mold, last < Greek kālápous shoe last, equivalent to kāla- combining form of kâlon wood + poús foot ( -pod )

Example Sentences

The caliber at which Sam and the entire crew preformed dubbed them professionals not students.

From The Daily Beast

It was later reported that the weapon was a BB gun that appeared to be a .45-caliber pistol.

From The Daily Beast

Still, the school has gotten more difficult to get into and the caliber of student attending has improved, as a result.

From The Daily Beast

Maintaining the high caliber of guest to which his viewers have become accustomed, Galifianakis welcomes Brad Pitt to the ferns.

From The Daily Beast

When the body of Johnson was exhumed, the medical examiner was acutely chagrined when six .22 caliber rounds were removed from it.

From The Daily Beast

It should be of rather large caliber, and have an opening in the tip and one or two in the side near the tip.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Wilson handed a small caliber revolver each to Gale and Phyllis.

From Project Gutenberg

He merely leaned his shotgun against his thigh, reached around beneath his coat and produced a forty-five caliber revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

Even a twenty-two caliber may prove effective at short range.

From Project Gutenberg

It is generally understood that men of the largest caliber are in demand as presidents of technical colleges and universities.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ability
• competence
• quality
• stature
• talent