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
The scientists calibrated these fields to replicate the magnetic conditions of various locales along the Eastern Seaboard, such as spots in the Gulf of Mexico or along the coast of Maine.
—
Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025
This data enabled us to calibrate and differentiate the ages of our two sites, Montbrook and Palmetto Fauna Bone Valley, by about 600,000 years.
—Bruce J. MacFadden, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025
That’s not to say government agencies are perfectly calibrated.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Your provider may be able to calibrate your home monitor against a professional machine.
—Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for calibrate 
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Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025
This data enabled us to calibrate and differentiate the ages of our two sites, Montbrook and Palmetto Fauna Bone Valley, by about 600,000 years.
—Bruce J. MacFadden, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025
That’s not to say government agencies are perfectly calibrated.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Your provider may be able to calibrate your home monitor against a professional machine.
—Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for calibrate
Dictionary Entries Near calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
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
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