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
That’s because airbags are calibrated to adult bodies weighing around 150 pounds.
—
Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Supervising sound editor James Drake and his team worked from even before shooting in order to calibrate the intensity of the experience, and to find the right spots to subjectively bring us into key characters’ emotional landscapes, too.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
Sanctions relief should be calibrated, not swept aside.
—Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Connect to Your Bike With the App Most ebikes also have corresponding apps downloadable to Android or iPhones that further calibrate and fine-tune the ride, customize the display, control walk assist, and keep track of and even remotely lock the bike.
—Stephanie Pearson, Wired News, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Supervising sound editor James Drake and his team worked from even before shooting in order to calibrate the intensity of the experience, and to find the right spots to subjectively bring us into key characters’ emotional landscapes, too.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
Sanctions relief should be calibrated, not swept aside.
—Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Connect to Your Bike With the App Most ebikes also have corresponding apps downloadable to Android or iPhones that further calibrate and fine-tune the ride, customize the display, control walk assist, and keep track of and even remotely lock the bike.
—Stephanie Pearson, Wired News, 8 Aug. 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 31 Aug. 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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