caliber

noun

cal·​i·​ber ˈka-lə-bər How to pronounce caliber (audio)
 British also  kə-ˈlē-
variants or calibre
1
a
: degree of mental capacity or moral quality
teachers of high caliber
b
: degree of excellence or importance
the caliber of instruction
2
a
: the diameter of a bullet or other projectile
b
: the diameter of a bore of a gun usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically written as a decimal fraction
.32 caliber
3
: the diameter of a round or cylindrical body
especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

Examples of caliber in a Sentence

I was impressed by the high caliber of the team's work. musicians of the highest caliber perform at that concert hall
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But a loss to Ohio State would also keep alive the Buckeyes’ dominance in the series and the skepticism that Franklin can beat teams of Ohio State’s caliber in the postseason. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024 With 1,500 labels and 12,000 bottles, including selections from the Rothschild family’s personal collection dating back to the 1860s, the cellar is a testament to the property’s extraordinary caliber. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 And thank goodness: Something sparkling happens when an actor of Kidman’s caliber dedicates herself so fully to translating the otherworldly grandeur of her iconography for television’s unique delights. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2024 Such over-the-top pieces aren’t for wallflowers, or even the typical watch enthusiast, but there’s no denying the sophistication of their calibers. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caliber 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French calibre "internal diameter of a cylindrical object, displacement of a gun," borrowed (by uncertain mediation) from Arabic qālab, qālib "mold for casting metal, shoemaker's last," borrowed from Greek kalapod-, kalápous, kalópous "shoemaker's last," from kâla (plural) "wood, timber" (of uncertain origin) + -a- (perhaps after tetrápous "four-footed") or -o- -o- + poús "foot" — more at foot entry 1

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of caliber was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near caliber

Cite this Entry

“Caliber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliber. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

caliber

noun
cal·​i·​ber
variants or calibre
1
: degree of excellence or importance
2
: the diameter of a missile (as a bullet)
3
: the inside diameter of a gun barrel

Medical Definition

caliber

noun
cal·​i·​ber
variants or chiefly British calibre
ˈkal-ə-bər, British also kə-ˈlē-
: the diameter of a round or cylindrical body
especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

More from Merriam-Webster on caliber

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!