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
With record numbers of rocket launches, and a fairly high-density airspace full of support aircraft of all types, any counter-drone systems must be carefully calibrated so as to not interfere with the communication, navigation or telemetry of rockets or other vehicles.
—
Brett Tingley, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Here, as in The Passenger, the author’s cinematic structure displays carefully calibrated shifts of perspective, as close-ups revealing the inner thoughts of the protagonists give way to long shots that vividly evoke the vibrant and often violent city that was Berlin.
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Friedman has called for MSL to use newer tools that have been calibrated to incorporate multiple AI models and various kinds of coding automation software often called AI agents, the people said.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
First, payments should be much smaller and calibrated to the burden caused by the tariffs.
—Claudia Sahm, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Brett Tingley, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Here, as in The Passenger, the author’s cinematic structure displays carefully calibrated shifts of perspective, as close-ups revealing the inner thoughts of the protagonists give way to long shots that vividly evoke the vibrant and often violent city that was Berlin.
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Friedman has called for MSL to use newer tools that have been calibrated to incorporate multiple AI models and various kinds of coding automation software often called AI agents, the people said.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
First, payments should be much smaller and calibrated to the burden caused by the tariffs.
—Claudia Sahm, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 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 Dec. 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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