caliper

1 of 2

noun

cal·​i·​per ˈka-lə-pər How to pronounce caliper (audio)
1
a
: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used especially to measure diameter or thickness
usually used in plural
a pair of calipers
b
: a device for pressing a frictional material (such as a brake pad) against the sides of a rotating wheel or disc
2
: thickness especially of paper, cardboard, or a tree

Illustration of caliper

Illustration of caliper
  • caliper 1a

caliper

2 of 2

verb

calipered; calipering ˈka-lə-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce caliper (audio)

transitive verb

: to measure by or as if by calipers

Examples of caliper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Counterbalancing the arsenal of go-fast tech, the optional monobloc calipers and carbon-ceramic brakes scrub 124 mph to zero in 371 feet, which is 16 feet less than required by the 720S. There’s a bit more theatricality on tap this time around as well. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 High-performance sports cars will also use iron brake rotors but often utilize aluminum calipers with multiple pistons. Michael Harley, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Most street cars use iron brake rotors with single-piston steel calipers. Michael Harley, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 With traditional brakes, the calipers’ pistons are arranged radially. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2024 Other upgrades include four-wheel disc brakes with Alcon front calipers and a set of 19-inch Azev wheels. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2024 Secondary targets for theft include the pedals, crank arm and crankset, handlebar grips, shifter, derailleur, and brake calipers. Matt Jancer, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023 Using a delicate magnetic caliper employed by violin makers to measure in millimeters an instrument’s walls and veneers, the conservators tracked the wood’s thickness at short intervals along the crack. Christopher Knight, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 To gather thousands of data points on leg length, head size and overall survival, Stroud had to capture each lizard using a tiny lasso and then set to work with calipers before injecting a tiny microchip under its skin. Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Verb
Standard Tornado Red calipers signal to the 99.999999 percent that this is indeed the V-8 trim. Tony Markovich, Car and Driver, 12 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caliper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of caliber

First Known Use

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caliper was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near caliper

Cite this Entry

“Caliper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliper. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

caliper

noun
cal·​i·​per
ˈkal-ə-pər
: a measuring instrument with two legs or jaws that can be adjusted to determine thickness, diameter, or distance between surfaces
usually used in plural
a pair of calipers

Medical Definition

caliper

1 of 2 noun
cal·​i·​per
variants or chiefly British calliper
1
: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used to measure thickness, diameter, and distance between surfaces
usually used in plural
a pair of calipers
2

caliper

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British calliper
calipered; calipering -p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce caliper (audio)
: to measure by or as if by calipers

More from Merriam-Webster on caliper

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