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
There, one of the tallest towers in Antarctica measures atmospheric data and helps calibrate Earth observation satellites.
—
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Ojos calibrated me to a new kind of suffering, which would prove useful, at lower elevations, in the years to come.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Few actors understood the assignment every single time like Robert Redford, who would carefully calibrate his charisma depending on the part.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
The limited use of assets was correct and calibrated to the potential threat perceived, which speaks to the utility of Eastern Sentry.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Ojos calibrated me to a new kind of suffering, which would prove useful, at lower elevations, in the years to come.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Few actors understood the assignment every single time like Robert Redford, who would carefully calibrate his charisma depending on the part.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
The limited use of assets was correct and calibrated to the potential threat perceived, which speaks to the utility of Eastern Sentry.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 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 30 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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