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

Both America and Iran seem to be calibrating their response to each other’s actions. — The Economist, "Iran is blowing up ships in the Gulf, says America," 14 June 2019 But one feature that has distinguished its devices is their camera-centric nature and their ability to calibrate exposures for darker skin tones. — Abdi Latif Dahir, Quartz Africa, "How Africa’s top handset maker designs phone cameras calibrated for darker skin tones," 3 June 2019 Which is to say, a thriller was a thriller, constructed of cliff-hangers and carefully calibrated revelations that (ideally) left you hungry for more. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, "Bodyguard Is the Best Political Thriller Since Homeland," 24 Oct. 2018 The reactions to steering and pedal inputs are almost supernaturally well calibrated; nothing is lost in translation between the driver's requests and the car's responses. — Car and Driver, "2019 10Best Cars," 28 Nov. 2018 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

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.