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
cal·i·bra·tor
ˈka-lə-ˌbrā-tər
variants
or calibrater
plural -s
: one that calibrates: such as
a
: an instrument for measuring the caliber of any passage
b
: an instrument that measures variable quantities or elements (as frequency or capacity) in electronic equipment
Examples of calibrate in a Sentence
Verb
carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
Recent Examples on the Web
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 June 2026
The clinical system is calibrated to the endpoint of disease.
—Elizabeth Bevins, STAT, 16 June 2026
Yet, the district has not calibrated its facilities footprint to align with enrollment declines.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
The devices need to be properly calibrated and aligned to deliver reliable video evidence—and that’s not always easy.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Verb
On the question of whether animators should calibrate their work for global comprehension from the outset, all three jury members pushed back against overt calculation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 June 2026
The clinical system is calibrated to the endpoint of disease.
—Elizabeth Bevins, STAT, 16 June 2026
Yet, the district has not calibrated its facilities footprint to align with enrollment declines.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
The devices need to be properly calibrated and aligned to deliver reliable video evidence—and that’s not always easy.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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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