caliber

noun

cal·​i·​ber ˈka-lə-bər How to pronounce caliber (audio)
 British also  kə-ˈlē-
variants or calibre
1
a
: degree of mental capacity or moral quality
teachers of high caliber
b
: degree of excellence or importance
the caliber of instruction
2
a
: the diameter of a bullet or other projectile
b
: the diameter of a bore of a gun usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically written as a decimal fraction
.32 caliber
3
: the diameter of a round or cylindrical body
especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

Examples of caliber in a Sentence

I was impressed by the high caliber of the team's work. musicians of the highest caliber perform at that concert hall
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The offensive line could ascend to playoff caliber by mid season or late season, or perhaps by the season opener. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025 The 11th Bentonville Film Festival is underway in Arkansas, the annual event bringing together Oscar caliber talent and films, with an emphasis on inclusion in an industry not known for providing equal access to opportunity. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 June 2025 Holiday approached the victim from behind, wrapped his left arm around her neck and shot her in the right temple with a .40 caliber firearm — with their three small children in the apartment. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025 This selection of mountain lodgings of high caliber is unparalleled on the planet. Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for caliber

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French calibre "internal diameter of a cylindrical object, displacement of a gun," borrowed (by uncertain mediation) from Arabic qālab, qālib "mold for casting metal, shoemaker's last," borrowed from Greek kalapod-, kalápous, kalópous "shoemaker's last," from kâla (plural) "wood, timber" (of uncertain origin) + -a- (perhaps after tetrápous "four-footed") or -o- -o- + poús "foot" — more at foot entry 1

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of caliber was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caliber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliber. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

caliber

noun
cal·​i·​ber
variants or calibre
1
: degree of excellence or importance
2
: the diameter of a missile (as a bullet)
3
: the inside diameter of a gun barrel

Medical Definition

caliber

noun
cal·​i·​ber
variants or chiefly British calibre
ˈkal-ə-bər, British also kə-ˈlē-
: the diameter of a round or cylindrical body
especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

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