calibration

[ kal-uh-brey-shuhn ]

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 Words From

• in·ter·cal·i·bra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of calibration¹

calibr(ate) + -ation ( def )

Example Sentences

This dosage is carefully calibrated by each champagne producer to create a consistent house style and balance the raw character of the wine.

From Washington Post

Samples from 51 tumors dating back to 2003 helped calibrate this timeline.

From Science News

The main outcome measure was pain threshold, which was assessed with an algometer—basically a blunt rod that applies a carefully calibrated amount of pressure to your skin.

From Outside Online

In a challenge trial, the first step is to calibrate the virus dose the volunteers will be given.

From Fortune

Lower courts, legal advocates, and state legislatures all calibrate their actions, at least to some extent, based on how far they think the Supreme Court is willing to go.

From FiveThirtyEight

But the calibration and balance of character development to other stuff will always be different from season to season.

From The Daily Beast

They are looking to partner with test strip providers so that Colorimetrix can be used with a pre-recorded calibration.

From The Daily Beast

The result has been a debate dominated by the extremes, with little patience for nuance, calibration, or balancing.

From The Daily Beast

This is not a time for careful calibration; it is not a moment for even-handed nuance or an appeal for bipartisan comity.

From The Daily Beast

The whole of the firing was therefore carried out from the map and by calibration.

From Project Gutenberg

He began to turn its center dial, at first a quarter circle, and then all the way to the final backstop of the calibration.

From Project Gutenberg

The atomic pile levers were still at their proper calibration.

From Project Gutenberg

They certainly must have a symbology for the calibration of scientific instruments.

From Project Gutenberg

Finer calibration, he had said realistically, would have to wait for more developmental work.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amount
• analysis
• appraisal
• assessment
• density
• dimension
• evaluation
• frequency
• height
• measure
• size
• survey
• weight