caliber

noun

cal·​i·​ber ˈka-lə-bər How to pronounce caliber (audio)
 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
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.
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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French calibre "internal diameter of a cylindrical object, displacement of a gun," borrowed (by uncertain mediation) from Arabic qālab, qālib "mold for casting metal, shoemaker's last," borrowed from Greek kalapod-, kalápous, kalópous "shoemaker's last," from kâla (plural) "wood, timber" (of uncertain origin) + -a- (perhaps after tetrápous "four-footed") or -o- -o- + poús "foot" — more at foot entry 1

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of caliber was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caliber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliber. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids 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

Medical Definition

caliber

noun
cal·​i·​ber
variants or chiefly British calibre
ˈkal-ə-bər, British also kə-ˈlē-
: the diameter of a round or cylindrical body
especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

More from Merriam-Webster on caliber

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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