calibrate

verb

cal·​i·​brate ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt 

calibrated; calibrating

transitive verb

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

calibrator

ˈka-lə-ˌbrā-tər 

noun

Examples of calibrate in a Sentence

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine

Recent Examples on the Web

Aggregate data can obscure radically different labor market realities, and monetary policy calibrated only to the aggregate can miss the productive capacity sitting beneath it. — Katica Roy, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Fed officials have emphasized that wages are not a significant source of inflation, with the lack of evidence of a wage-price spiral an important distinction when calibrating policy. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

Wavelengths, intensity and safety protocols were never calibrated for animal tissue or canine eyes. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Arm position, skin color and how recently the device was calibrated can all skew readings, raising the risk of false reassurance or unnecessary alarm. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

caliber + -ate entry 4, perhaps after French calibrer

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for calibrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids 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

ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən

noun

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

calibration

ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

calibrator

ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt-ər 

noun