calibrate

verb

cal·​i·​brate ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce calibrate (audio)
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 noun

Examples of calibrate in a Sentence

carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
Recent Examples on the Web The geometry is more comfortable, the components are purpose-driven rather than to check items off a list of specs, and the computer and sensors are calibrated incredibly well. Adrienne So, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023 Mark Kelly The war in the Middle East could still morph into a larger regional conflict, and the Biden Administration is calibrating its actions to manage that risk. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023 Vellani calibrates her performance deftly, committing to comic relief without becoming over-reliant on any kind of shtick. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Nov. 2023 Since then, ground controllers have carefully calibrated the observatory's two instruments—a 600-megapixel visible light camera and a 64-megapixel near-infrared spectrograph and photometer. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023 The Fed’s policymakers are trying to calibrate their key interest rate to simultaneously cool inflation, support job growth and ward off a recession. Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2023 The experiment was similar to how TMS clinics calibrate their devices: At the beginning of a patient’s treatment, the technician positions the wand over the motor cortex and turns up the power until a muscle in the patient’s hand contracts. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Oct. 2023 His argument – calibrated for last year’s Supreme Court ruling – is that there were no laws against domestic abuse in 1791. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2023 In the 20th century, Kodak calibrated the light and coloration of its photos according to a photograph of a white woman named Shirley. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calibrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

caliber + -ate entry 4, perhaps after French calibrer

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calibrate was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near calibrate

Cite this Entry

“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

calibrate

verb
cal·​i·​brate ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce calibrate (audio)
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to measure the caliber of
2
a
: to determine, correct, or put the measuring marks on (as a thermometer tube)
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 How to pronounce calibrate (audio)
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 noun
calibrator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on calibrate

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