caliper

1 of 2

noun

cal·​i·​per ˈka-lə-pər 

1

a

: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used especially to measure diameter or thickness

—usually used in plural

a pair of calipers

b

: a device for pressing a frictional material (such as a brake pad) against the sides of a rotating wheel or disc

2

: thickness especially of paper, cardboard, or a tree

Illustration of caliper

• caliper 1a

caliper

2 of 2

verb

calipered; calipering ˈka-lə-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to measure by or as if by calipers

Examples of caliper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The wheels are black, along with the brake calipers. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 4 June 2025

Gigantic carbon ceramic brakes with multi-piston calipers assisted in precisely balancing load on each corner by way of a firm yet easy-to-modulate pedal. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Verb

Standard Tornado Red calipers signal to the 99.999999 percent that this is indeed the V-8 trim. —Tony Markovich, Car and Driver, 12 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of caliber

First Known Use

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1793, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing caliper

• vernier caliper

Kids Definition

caliper

noun

cal·​i·​per

ˈkal-ə-pər

: a measuring instrument with two legs or jaws that can be adjusted to determine thickness, diameter, or distance between surfaces

—usually used in plural

a pair of calipers

Medical Definition

caliper

1 of 2 noun

cal·​i·​per

variants or chiefly British calliper

ˈkal-ə-pər 

1

: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used to measure thickness, diameter, and distance between surfaces

—usually used in plural

a pair of calipers

2

: caliper splint

caliper

2 of 2 transitive verb

variants or chiefly British calliper

calipered; calipering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to measure by or as if by calipers