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
The silvered soleil face shows black subdials and an outer bright blue pulsations scale calibrated for 15 pulsations.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
This level of precision could transform how microwave fields are calibrated.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
His feel for movement and space seems calibrated already.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Each international version will need to be calibrated accordingly.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
This level of precision could transform how microwave fields are calibrated.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
His feel for movement and space seems calibrated already.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Each international version will need to be calibrated accordingly.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share