calibre
Britishnoun
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the diameter of a cylindrical body, esp the internal diameter of a tube or the bore of a firearm
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the diameter of a shell or bullet
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ability; distinction
a musician of high calibre
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personal character
a man of high calibre
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of calibre
C16: from Old French, from Italian calibro, from Arabic qālib shoemaker's last, mould
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.
Co, the police spokesman, also revealed the other weapon used in the shooting, a .38 calibre pistol, was registered to a security agency in Cebu City.
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
It remains to be seen whether he will have the same calibre of players this time around.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
The keen photographer, 34, said he had seen shooting stars but never something of this "calibre", and was surprised to see what he believed was a "massive meteor flying through the sky".
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
"The calibre of the opposition, the first time Arsenal have beaten a real rival this season, the manner of the victory and second-half performance. They completely demolished Aston Villa."
From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025
We then switched to the black tennis situation in South Africa and, in particular, the conspicuous lack of champions of Arthur Ashe’s calibre.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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.
