recalibrate

verb

re·​cal·​i·​brate (ˌ)rē-ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce recalibrate (audio)
recalibrated; recalibrating; recalibrates

transitive verb

: to calibrate (something) again
… these systems gradually drift off course so that the navigator periodically needs a fresh point of reference to recalibrate the navigation system.Stefi Weisburd
The problem is that eating more doesn't sate us; we merely recalibrate how much we think we need.Nando Pelusi
recalibration noun
plural recalibrations
Literacy standards were in need of constant recalibration, as each new phase of the war could inflate or deflate the value of existing skills, inflate or deflate the effectiveness of existing induction policies and instructional efforts. Deborah Brandt

Examples of recalibrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pauses present not only a greater risk of intrusive thoughts, but also a greater opportunity to recalibrate after the hyper-arousal state of playing a point at full intensity, or experiencing the emotional high or low of winning a set or having their serve broken. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026 Teams spend time training the system around standards, tone and decision logic, only to recalibrate it when behavior changes. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Eastern Ukraine — There is a whirr, a flurry of dust, a pause as the grainy image recalibrates, and then a devastating blast. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026 An algae bloom shortly after the Reflecting Pool reopened in 2012 forced the National Park Service to scramble, drain the pool, and recalibrate the filtration system. Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for recalibrate

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recalibrate was in 1883

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recalibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recalibrate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on recalibrate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster