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
Your Brain is a Clock (Nautilus) by Dan Falk
From catching a ball to holding a conversation, our ability to function depends on calibrating our brains to action happening in the world around us.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2025
Focal’s patented Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning technology uses a sophisticated algorithm to calibrate the system for both a room’s individual acoustics and the user’s preferences.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
In late May, Israel rolled out a controversial scheme that sidelines established routes and allows Israel to control and calibrate all aid delivery.
—Max Rodenbeck, Foreign Affairs, 25 June 2025
Iran may want to carefully calibrate its response to the U.S. strikes, but calibration in volatile conflicts isn’t always possible.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
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The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2025
Focal’s patented Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning technology uses a sophisticated algorithm to calibrate the system for both a room’s individual acoustics and the user’s preferences.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
In late May, Israel rolled out a controversial scheme that sidelines established routes and allows Israel to control and calibrate all aid delivery.
—Max Rodenbeck, Foreign Affairs, 25 June 2025
Iran may want to carefully calibrate its response to the U.S. strikes, but calibration in volatile conflicts isn’t always possible.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 23 Jul. 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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