calibrate

play

verb cal·i·brate \ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt\

Definition of calibrate

calibrated

;

calibrating

transitive verb
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

calibrator

play \-ˌbrā-tər\ noun

See calibrate defined for English-language learners

See calibrate defined for kids

Examples of calibrate in a Sentence

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine

Recent Examples of calibrate from the Web

At full operating capacity, the facility features a series of hydraulic panels and inflatable bladders that are used in sync to create the waves (the staff has years of notes, calibrating waves at different river levels.)

— joe carberry, idahostatesman, "Two ‘obsessed’ Boise River users create the whitewater waves you play in," 17 July 2017
But modern metabolic reactions are carefully calibrated inside living cells, in the presence of oxygen.

— roland pease, Science | AAAS, "How sunlight might have jump-started life on Earth," 12 July 2017
Measuring is hard The microwave-sensing instrument itself has to be constantly calibrated by making measurements of deep space and of a small target on the satellite that’s hooked up to standard thermometers.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "Satellite temperature record update closes gap with surface records," 5 July 2017
His answers are often creative but always carefully calibrated.

— joe klein, Daily Intelligencer, "Bill Clinton: Who Is This Guy?," 30 June 2017
Holland calibrates this really well, turning in an endlessly likable performance that never cloys or grows sticky with precociousness.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Spider-Man: Homecoming Somehow Makes Us Want More Spider-Man Movies," 29 June 2017
Shhhh, please! Sonar has to be calibrated in water that is very, very quiet.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Development in Okahumpka might disturb Naval sonar installation at Bugg Springs," 28 June 2017
In the summer, state officials bring teachers together to calibrate the scoring across all the PACE districts.

— stacy teicher khadaroo, The Christian Science Monitor, "Test Drive: New Hampshire teachers build new ways to measure deeper learning," 27 June 2017
Evidence eventually filed in the case showed Eberenz's radar gun was last calibrated in April 2011.

— matthew glowicki, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville Metro police officer cleared of lying in Court of Appeals ruling," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calibrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of calibrate

1850

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

CALIBRATE Defined for English Language Learners

calibrate

play

verb

Definition of calibrate for English Language Learners

: to adjust or mark (something, such as a measuring device) so that it can be used in an accurate and exact way
: to measure (something) in an exact and precise way

Medical Dictionary

calibrate

play

transitive verb cal·i·brate \ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt\

Medical Definition of calibrate

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