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
Rather than going all-in on AI literacy, the question is to calibrate deliberate exposure to mental challenges that build resistance to intellectual dependency.
—
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Beginning in the 1950s, the National Television System Committee required that television sets be calibrated to constrain the range of color to ensure that viewers had a uniform experience of it.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
The logistics were daunting, but carefully calibrated— Angel explained that even wording introductions to attendees at the reception desk were discussed, to make clear that the cookout was centered on trans femmes and donations were encouraged.
—Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
When the scares do hit, they’re perfectly calibrated.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Beginning in the 1950s, the National Television System Committee required that television sets be calibrated to constrain the range of color to ensure that viewers had a uniform experience of it.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
The logistics were daunting, but carefully calibrated— Angel explained that even wording introductions to attendees at the reception desk were discussed, to make clear that the cookout was centered on trans femmes and donations were encouraged.
—Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
When the scares do hit, they’re perfectly calibrated.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 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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