Definition of calibre Calibre

/kˈælɪbɐ/ - cal•i•bre

We found 16 definitions of calibre from 7 different sources.

Word comparison

calibre - /kˈælɪbɐ/

caliber - /kæˈlʌbɚ/

Noun
calibre - a degree or grade of excellence or worth; "the quality of students has risen"; "an executive of low caliber"
		quality, caliber
		degree, level, grade a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality; "a moderate grade of intelligence"; "a high level of care is required"; "it is all a matter of degree"
		high quality, superiority the quality of being superior
calibre - diameter of a tube or gun barrel
		bore, gauge, caliber
		diam, diameter the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

calibre (Noun)
Diameter of the bore of a firearm, typically measured between opposite lands.
calibre (Noun)
The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet, a projectile, or a column.
calibre (Noun)
A nominal name for a cartridge type, which may not exactly indicate its true size and may include other measurements such as cartridge length or black powder capacity. Eg 7. 62x39 or 38. 40.
calibre (Noun)
Unit of measure used to express the length of the bore of a weapon. The number of calibres is determined by dividing the length of the bore of the weapon, from the breech face of the tube to the muzzle, by the diameter of its bore. A gun tube the bore of which is 40 feet 480 inches long and 12 inches in diameter is said to be 40 calibers long.
calibre (Noun)
Relative size, importance, magnitude.
calibre (Noun)
Capacity or compass of mind.
calibre (Noun)
Degree of importance or station in society.

calibre (n.)
The diameter of the bore, as a cannon or other firearm, or of any tube; or the weight or size of the projectile which a firearm will carry; as, an 8 inch gun, a 12-pounder, a 44 caliber.
calibre (n.)
The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet or column.
calibre (n.)
Fig.: Capacity or compass of mind.

calibre
Caliber, kal′i-bėr, n. the size of the bore of a gun: diameter: intellectual capacity.—adj. Cal′ibered.—v.t. Cal′ibrāte, to determine the calibre of.—n. Calibrā′tion. [Fr. calibre, the bore of a gun; prob. L. quā librā, with what weight, or from Ar. qālib, a form.]

calibre
The diameter of the bore of a gun, cannon, shot, or bullet. A ship's caliber means the known weight her armament represents.

calibre
From the Latin qua librâ, “what pound,” applied first to the weight of a bullet, then to the diameter, which determined the diameter of the gun, now signifies the diameter of the bore of a cannon or any fire-arm, and is expressed in inches or fractional parts of an inch, as a 15-inch gun; a Springfield rifle, caliber .45. Cannon are sometimes also designated by the weight of metal which they throw, as a 24-pounder.