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
Last year, Israel appeared to calibrate its military responses to Iran, seeking to show resolve and send a warning to Tehran without dramatically escalating the conflict.
—
Dan De Luce, NBC news, 13 June 2025
Our findings suggest that this small but important structure may be essential for calibrating our generosity based on how close or distant others feel to us.
—Tobias Kalenscher, Scientific American, 13 June 2025
But this would require reconfiguring and calibrating Frankie.
—ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
The team was a lab technician who had briefly come to help calibrate a machine in the city’s public health lab.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Dan De Luce, NBC news, 13 June 2025
Our findings suggest that this small but important structure may be essential for calibrating our generosity based on how close or distant others feel to us.
—Tobias Kalenscher, Scientific American, 13 June 2025
But this would require reconfiguring and calibrating Frankie.
—ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
The team was a lab technician who had briefly come to help calibrate a machine in the city’s public health lab.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.
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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