calibrate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements).
-
to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like.
-
to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits.
-
to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc..
a sales strategy calibrated to rich investors.
verb
-
to measure the calibre of (a gun, mortar, etc)
-
to mark (the scale of a measuring instrument) so that readings can be made in appropriate units
-
to determine the accuracy of (a measuring instrument, etc)
-
to determine or check the range and accuracy of (a piece of artillery)
-
To check, adjust, or standardize a measuring instrument, usually by comparing it with an accepted model.
-
To measure the diameter of the inside of a tube.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
calibratesimple
-
calibratessimple
-
have calibratedperfect
-
has calibratedperfect
-
am calibratingprogressive
-
are calibratingprogressive
-
is calibratingprogressive
-
have been calibratingperfect progressive
-
has been calibratingperfect progressive
Past
-
calibratedsimple
-
had calibratedperfect
-
was calibratingprogressive
-
were calibratingprogressive
-
had been calibratingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of calibrate
Explanation
The word calibrate means making precise measurement. For example, you might want to calibrate your bathroom scale now and then to be sure it’s adjusted for exact weight. Or calibrate it to read five pounds light. We won't tell. To find the origin of calibrate, we must look at its root, caliber, which appeared in the late 15th-century Middle French as calibre, meaning "a degree of importance." Linguists trace that word to an Arabic beginning, the word qalib, which referred to a mold for making bullets. That meaning seems to have carried over to our word, the verb calibrate, which first meant to measure the range of a projectile such as a bullet or shell.
Vocabulary lists containing calibrate
The Fault in Our Stars
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Leap," Vocabulary from the short story
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Dr. Kim Boyd, chief medical officer of competitor Calibrate, said the older drugs "just haven't worked."
From Salon • Nov. 17, 2022
Calibrate costs patients nearly $1,600 a year, not counting the price of drugs, which can hit nearly $1,500 monthly without insurance, according to drug price savings site GoodRx.
From Salon • Nov. 17, 2022
Calibrate your expectations accordingly should you venture to Rockville.
From Washington Post • Mar. 8, 2021
“We are in a global pandemic. Calibrate expectations to be realistic to your situation. If you’re juggling too much, relaxing some of your rules might make things more manageable.”
From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2020
To Calibrate Tubes for Measuring Gases.—Prepare a small glass tube sealed at one end and ground at the other to a plate of glass.
From The Methods of Glass Blowing and of Working Silica in the Oxy-Gas Flame For the use of chemical and physical students by Shenstone, W. A.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
