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
Each will help calibrate a $1.5 billion satellite, known as NISAR, that NASA has been building with the Indian Space Research Organisation.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2024
There are sound administrative reasons that penalties are seldom finely calibrated in this way; for one thing, interpersonal comparisons of suffering aren’t easily determined.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 12 June 2024
On Iran, the Next Administration Must Break With the Past
By putting diplomacy in the lead, the United States can address its discord with Iran and calibrate a smart and clear-eyed policy for the Middle East.
—Michael Singh, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
That is, knowledge of political affairs as well as decision-making dispositions such as open-mindedness, calibrating confidence to evidence, and a willingness to have your thinking challenged by advisers and critics.
—Leo Gugerty, The Conversation, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for calibrate 
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2024
There are sound administrative reasons that penalties are seldom finely calibrated in this way; for one thing, interpersonal comparisons of suffering aren’t easily determined.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 12 June 2024
On Iran, the Next Administration Must Break With the Past
By putting diplomacy in the lead, the United States can address its discord with Iran and calibrate a smart and clear-eyed policy for the Middle East.
—Michael Singh, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
That is, knowledge of political affairs as well as decision-making dispositions such as open-mindedness, calibrating confidence to evidence, and a willingness to have your thinking challenged by advisers and critics.
—Leo Gugerty, The Conversation, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for calibrate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calibrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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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