calibrate
verb
cal·i·brate
ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt 
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to ascertain the caliber of (something)
2
: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (something, such as a thermometer tube)
3
: to standardize (something, such as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors
4
: to adjust precisely for a particular function
calibrate a thermometer
5
: to measure precisely
carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
especially
: to measure against a standard
Examples of calibrate in a Sentence
carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
Recent Examples on the Web
With the right privacy standards, this kind of data could help cities anticipate seasonal inflows, calibrate zoning or permitting thresholds, and avoid the unintended consequences of unmanaged mobility.
—
Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The cold-holding/hot-holding unit in the food establishment does not have a visible thermometer, accurate and/or properly calibrated thermometer, or the thermometer is broken.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
The signal of each system is calibrated to features of different sizes on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
This antenna array is designed to rotate, not only so it can be aimed at a particular part of the sky, but also to help calibrate the antenna telescope with the local electromagnetic environment.
—David Szondy
july 27, New Atlas, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The cold-holding/hot-holding unit in the food establishment does not have a visible thermometer, accurate and/or properly calibrated thermometer, or the thermometer is broken.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
The signal of each system is calibrated to features of different sizes on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
This antenna array is designed to rotate, not only so it can be aimed at a particular part of the sky, but also to help calibrate the antenna telescope with the local electromagnetic environment.
—David Szondy
july 27, New Atlas, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calibrate
verb
cal·i·brate
ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to measure the caliber of
2
a
: to determine, correct, or put the measuring marks on (as a tire pressure gauge)
b
: make standard (as a measuring instrument) by finding out and correcting for the differences from an accepted or ideal value
calibration
noun
ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən
Medical Definition
calibrate
transitive verb
cal·i·brate
ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to ascertain the caliber of (as a thermometer tube)
2
: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (as a thermometer tube)
3
: to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors
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