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 Canyon Crest bear may have a shtick calibrated for social media stardom, but there’s plenty of competition among the Southland’s cast of charismatic — and potentially dangerous — wild animals.
—
Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2024
Such small samples would generally be used for calibrating scientific or medical devices.
—Matthew Cupelli, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
While so many of the group’s generations-later EDM heirs rely on denture-rattling bass drops to compensate for a muddy mix, Kraftwerk’s sound was perfectly calibrated for the Disney Hall’s acoustics.
—Andrew Barker, Variety, 22 May 2024
For example, the rate of sampling—how often a data point is collected—matters and must be calibrated for the behavior being studied.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for calibrate 
Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2024
Such small samples would generally be used for calibrating scientific or medical devices.
—Matthew Cupelli, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
While so many of the group’s generations-later EDM heirs rely on denture-rattling bass drops to compensate for a muddy mix, Kraftwerk’s sound was perfectly calibrated for the Disney Hall’s acoustics.
—Andrew Barker, Variety, 22 May 2024
For example, the rate of sampling—how often a data point is collected—matters and must be calibrated for the behavior being studied.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 May 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 6 Jun. 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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