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
The most successful travelers on this journey into uncharted hybrid territory will be those who can curate the magic of natural and artificial intelligences intentionally, calibrating the hybrid equilibrium that is the sweet spot where their own unique potential is revealed.
—
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
This may help explain why Trump’s latest attacks on the network, for all their apparent explosivity, are nonetheless carefully calibrated.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Over nearly 18 years, the man, Tim Friede, 57, injected himself with more than 650 carefully calibrated, escalating doses of venom to build his immunity to 16 deadly snake species.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The Agriculture Department in January began registering service technicians, who install, repair and calibrate EV chargers.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
This may help explain why Trump’s latest attacks on the network, for all their apparent explosivity, are nonetheless carefully calibrated.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Over nearly 18 years, the man, Tim Friede, 57, injected himself with more than 650 carefully calibrated, escalating doses of venom to build his immunity to 16 deadly snake species.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The Agriculture Department in January began registering service technicians, who install, repair and calibrate EV chargers.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 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 May. 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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