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 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

Braking comes from a 320-mm front disc with a four-piston Brembo caliper and a 220-mm rear disc with a single-piston Brembo caliper. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

Electronic actuators control the brake calipers instead of hydraulic lines carrying brake fluid. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Unlike a normal brake change, there’s no need to disconnect a caliper. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Each color features contrasting Oro Elios (gold) or Grigio Nimbus (silver) lower-body accents and wheels, along with Miura 60 branding, glosse black brake calipers, and matte black exhaust tips. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026

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