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
Washington must also better calibrate its policies to block Iran’s proxies from returning to Gaza and Syria and to reduce Tehran’s influence in Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
—
James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Advertisement Drivers are calibrated to win at all costs.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 27 June 2025
Crichton put them to work developing new air traffic control systems in house calibrated for the people who would ultimately use them.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The cartoon well calibrates its PG thrills to give kids a mild case of the shivers.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Advertisement Drivers are calibrated to win at all costs.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 27 June 2025
Crichton put them to work developing new air traffic control systems in house calibrated for the people who would ultimately use them.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The cartoon well calibrates its PG thrills to give kids a mild case of the shivers.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 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 15 Jul. 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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