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calibration

UK/ˌkæl.ɪˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/US/ˌkæl.əˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/
nounB2+Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #12,617 of 15,258leans written

Other forms: calibrations

Calibration is setting an instrument so it reads correctly. Due for calibration, a calibration certificate, out of calibration.

It is dated and certified in regulated industries, because an instrument drifts and a reading is worthless without knowing when it was last checked. The chain of standards runs up to a national laboratory. Note calibrate beneath it.

Definitions of calibration

  1. 1nouncalibrationThe setting of an instrument so it reads correctly.B2+

    “The scales in the shop need regular calibration so customers aren't overcharged.”

calibration is an adjustment.

Where it comes from

  1. Ancient Greek

    εἶμι

  2. English

    ion

  3. English, today

    calibration

Built from

  • εἶμι · Ancient Greek — I go

From calibrate + -ion. ion comes from Ancient Greek εἶμι. From the ending of anion and cation, which in turn is from Ancient Greek ἰόν (“going”), neuter present participle of εἶμι (“I go”). coined by William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in Factory & Manufacturing

Practise this word

calibration in the wild

  • The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national or international standard held by a metrology body.

    Calibration

  • A calibration curve is one approach to the problem of instrument calibration; other standard approaches may mix the standard into the unknown, giving an internal standard.

    Calibration curve

  • In addition, calibration is used in statistics with the usual general meaning of calibration.

    Calibration (statistics)

  • Reformed as part of the RAF during the Second World War it served as an anti-aircraft calibration unit and also operated post-war from 1952 until 1958.

    No. 116 Squadron RAF

  • No. 526 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a British Second World War calibration and communications squadron.

    No. 526 Squadron RAF

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

Related words

  • calibrate