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
For almost a year, both sides have been carefully calibrating their tit-for-tat attacks to avoid a larger conflict.
—
Lauren Leatherby, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2024
Mike Brown’s class is calibrated to his students’ experiences of living in Chicago these last few years.
—Marin Cogan, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
In its territorial dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea, China views its approach as calibrated and confident.
—Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2024
In the breathtaking installation Universe of Water Particles on a Rock where People Gather a simulated waterfall cascades down the walls and across the floor, calibrating its flow and intensity based on how people move through the gallery.
—Ashlea Halpern, TIME, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for calibrate 
Lauren Leatherby, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2024
Mike Brown’s class is calibrated to his students’ experiences of living in Chicago these last few years.
—Marin Cogan, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
In its territorial dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea, China views its approach as calibrated and confident.
—Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2024
In the breathtaking installation Universe of Water Particles on a Rock where People Gather a simulated waterfall cascades down the walls and across the floor, calibrating its flow and intensity based on how people move through the gallery.
—Ashlea Halpern, TIME, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for calibrate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calibrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near calibrate
Cite this Entry
“Calibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calibrate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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