calibrate

verb

cal·i·brate | \ ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt

calibrated; calibrating

Definition of calibrate

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

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Examples of calibrate in a Sentence

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine

Recent Examples on the Web

Even so, it should be calibrated regularly if used for critical parts like suspension and internal engine fasteners. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Torque Wrench to Keep Your Car from Flying Apart," 26 Feb. 2019 There’s plenty of steel on the inside, though, starting with a 900-pound front door that glides open like a bank vault (a fabricator was flown in from Seattle to install it and calibrate the swing). — Sarah Medford, WSJ, "Daniel and Estrellita Brodsky Dreamed of a Modern Home in a Pastoral Setting," 11 Dec. 2018 All are cleverly calibrated to feed a market hungry for new experiences. — Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, "25 Best Hotels in Singapore," 28 Feb. 2018 To the instructors here in Texas, the human body is a machine to be quantified and calibrated to an optimal state. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "What Happened When I Trained With Air Force Human Performance Specialists," 12 Feb. 2019 Per the Journal's report, which cites internal FAA documents, the miscalculations pertain to the way baggage weights are calibrated. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "FAA: Southwest Airlines Miscalculated Baggage Weights to an Alarming Degree," 19 Feb. 2019 The standard paddle shifters are there for added control and to avoid daily monotony, but the automatic transmission is well calibrated. — Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, "2018 Infiniti QX30," 16 Mar. 2018 Then the pattern of electrical signals was calibrated for each individual. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "Spinal-cord stimulation allows three paralyzed men to walk with assistance," 31 Oct. 2018 With the trade battle with the U.S. having amplified the Shanghai import fair’s political overtones, global companies are trying to calibrate how to show support for China and their businesses. — James T. Areddy, WSJ, "The World’s Biggest Exporter Rebrands Itself as a Big Buyer," 17 Oct. 2018

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.