caliper

noun cal·i·per \ ˈka-lə-pər \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of caliper

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

See caliper defined for English-language learners

See caliper defined for kids

Recent Examples of caliper from the Web

Brembo brakes all around have four-piston front calipers with 13.8-inch vented discs and 13.4 inches rear.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Kia Stinger GT: A switchblade of change," 19 Jan. 2018
The slack head tube and short wheelbase combine stability with agile turning, and the large brake discs and hydraulic calipers make scrubbing all that speed a breeze.

— ty brookhart, Outside Online, "You're Going to Want the Cake Kalk E-Dirt Bike," 25 June 2018
Spotting a hybrid Panamera is very easy—just look for the acid green highlights on the badges or the brake calipers.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "Porsche’s Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is a heck of a hybrid," 16 May 2018
My regular mechanic told me the caliper was frozen.

— bob weber, chicagotribune.com, "Rough road takes a toll on suspension and marriage," 6 Nov. 2017
And the brakes are gigantic, with 17.3-inch (440mm) diameter carbon ceramic rotors wrapped in ten-piston calipers in front, plus 14.6mm (370mm) rotors in the rear.

— jim resnick, Ars Technica, "If you can’t beat them… Lamborghini joins the SUV set," 17 Jan. 2018
The GranSport trim adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, massive red calipers, premium speaker system, a rear spoiler, black roof rails, and a leather sport steering wheel.

— eric bangeman, Ars Technica, "Classic Maserati with a pinch of Chrysler: The Levante S GranSport, reviewed," 8 June 2018
Other spots of color include Laurel Green brake calipers and door struts and satin Memphis Red and Vega Blue center-locking wheel nuts (the left side is red, the right side is blue).

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "Just the Custom Work on this Carbon-Themed McLaren Senna Cost about $400K," 28 Feb. 2018
Braking is absolute from 14-inch vented front discs with four-piston calipers and vented 13-inch rear discs — and the force awakens when halting a speeding 5,000-pound LS hybrid.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Lexus LS 500h: From flagship to starship," 2 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caliper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of caliper

Origin and Etymology of caliper

alteration of caliber

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

caliper

verb

Definition of caliper

calipered; calipering \-p(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

: to measure by or as if by calipers

Recent Examples of caliper from the Web

Standard Tornado Red calipers signal to the 99.999999 percent that this is indeed the V-8 trim.

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "SUV-8: Bentley Bentayga Gets a 542-HP Twin-Turbo Eight-Cylinder," 12 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of caliper

1793

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CALIPER Defined for Kids

caliper

noun cal·i·per \ ˈka-lə-pər \

Definition of caliper for Students

: an instrument with two adjustable legs used to measure the thickness of objects or the distance between surfaces —usually used in pl.

a pair of calipers

Medical Dictionary

caliper

noun cal·i·per

variants: or chiefly British calliper play \ˈkal-ə-pər\

medical Definition of caliper

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