calibrate
verb
cal·i·brate
ˈka-lə-ˌbrāt 
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to ascertain the caliber of (something)
2
: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (something, such as a thermometer tube)
3
: to standardize (something, such as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors
4
: to adjust precisely for a particular function
calibrate a thermometer
5
: to measure precisely
carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
especially
: to measure against a standard
Examples of calibrate in a Sentence
carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine
Recent Examples on the Web
One reason for this is that the heat index values are calibrated for shady locations with light wind.
—
Carmel Wroth,
NPR,
2 July 2026
One day soon, will smart tech be able to model a brisket stall and calibrate one of these smart smokers to push it through to completion at the press of a button?
—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
The short answer is that evolution runs on a clock calibrated to geological time, and human lifespans are vanishingly small ticks on that clock.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Whole-home diffusers, because they are calibrated by an HVAC technician at install, run on a more predictable replenishment cycle.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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.
Carmel Wroth,
NPR,
2 July 2026
One day soon, will smart tech be able to model a brisket stall and calibrate one of these smart smokers to push it through to completion at the press of a button?
—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
The short answer is that evolution runs on a clock calibrated to geological time, and human lifespans are vanishingly small ticks on that clock.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Whole-home diffusers, because they are calibrated by an HVAC technician at install, run on a more predictable replenishment cycle.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calibrate
verb
cal·i·brate
ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to measure the caliber of
2
a
: to determine, correct, or put the measuring marks on (as a tire pressure gauge)
b
: make standard (as a measuring instrument) by finding out and correcting for the differences from an accepted or ideal value
calibration
noun
ˌkal-ə-ˈbrā-shən
Medical Definition
calibrate
transitive verb
cal·i·brate
ˈkal-ə-ˌbrāt
calibrated; calibrating
1
: to ascertain the caliber of (as a thermometer tube)
2
: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (as a thermometer tube)
3
: to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
