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

Braking is via one disc per wheel – 300 mm with NISSIN dual-piston caliper at the front and 240 mm at the rear, although ABS comes as standard. — New Atlas, 9 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

Of course, there’s nothing stopping anyone from painting the calipers on their base model to pass as something more. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 22 July 2026

Too large a rotor can obstruct your suspension, impede your brakes and often won’t even fit inside your wheel or caliper. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 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