calibration
Americannoun
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the act or process of determining, checking, or rectifying the settings or gradations on a measuring instrument or other piece of precision equipment; the resulting condition of the equipment.
I took the copter down to the beach to do the compass calibration, so as to be absolutely sure there was no metal around when I did it.
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the act or process of marking a measuring instrument with the necessary gradations; the resulting markings or settings.
Our measuring cups are designed with calibrations on the side so that exact measurement can be given.
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the act or process of planning or devising something carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc..
He advocated for the calibration of fiscal policy to balance growth needs and minimize debt.
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the act or process of determining the correct range for an artillery gun, mortar, etc., by observing where the projectile hits.
The field regiment moved to a deserted area to carry out a shoot for the calibration of every gun.
Other Word Forms
- intercalibration noun
Etymology
Origin of calibration
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.
“For example, they didn’t describe instruments used such as ICP-MS or describe how the sample was prepared before analysis, which can influence the results, of the detection limits or calibration details,” Smilowitz said.
From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026
Life in such an environment required careful calibration: How Jewish should one be?
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026
If Grizzly Bear’s early years were about convergence — four young men building a sound that felt both communal and claustrophobic, this chapter is about calibration: finding equilibrium after a long season apart.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025
NHS England says fewer than 10% of their laboratories were affected and all have either replaced the machines or addressed calibration issues.
From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025
It was rectangular in shape and made of thick, soft, yellow plastic, with calibration marks on one side.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
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.
