caliber
noun
cal·i·ber
ˈka-lə-bər 
British also kə-ˈlē-
variants
or calibre
1
a
: degree of mental capacity or moral quality
teachers of high caliber
b
: degree of excellence or importance
the caliber of instruction
2
a
: the diameter of a bullet or other projectile
b
: the diameter of a bore of a gun usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically written as a decimal fraction
.32 caliber
3
: the diameter of a round or cylindrical body
especially
: the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder
Examples of caliber in a Sentence
I was impressed by the high caliber of the team's work.
musicians of the highest caliber perform at that concert hall
Recent Examples on the Web
Sabonis is having another All-NBA caliber season despite being snubbed as an All-Star selection.
—
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025
The biggest weakness for Los Angeles is within the frontcourt but the team has managed to survive without a starting caliber center.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Police took him into custody and searched the vehicle, allegedly finding a Taurus .45 caliber firearm under the driver seat, White said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
The law prohibits the sale, manufacture, possession and purchase of assault-style weapons, assault weapon attachments and .50 caliber cartridges in the state of Illinois.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caliber
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Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025
The biggest weakness for Los Angeles is within the frontcourt but the team has managed to survive without a starting caliber center.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Police took him into custody and searched the vehicle, allegedly finding a Taurus .45 caliber firearm under the driver seat, White said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
The law prohibits the sale, manufacture, possession and purchase of assault-style weapons, assault weapon attachments and .50 caliber cartridges in the state of Illinois.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caliber
Cite this Entry
“Caliber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliber. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caliber
noun
cal·i·ber
variants
or calibre
1
: degree of excellence or importance
2
: the diameter of a missile (as a bullet)
3
: the inside diameter of a gun barrel
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