calibrated

Everyday

1. (science) Checked and adjusted so that it measures exactly right. tree →
2. Marked with a scale of numbers for measuring: a calibrated cylinder. tree →
3. Carefully planned or adjusted for a purpose: a carefully calibrated answer. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, measuring cylinders, thermometers and scales are calibrated. Before an experiment, you check that a balance reads 0 when empty. In everyday life, a calibrated oven or tyre gauge gives correct numbers.

Examples

• The thermometer was calibrated in ice water at 0 °C. tree →
• Use a calibrated measuring cylinder to measure 50 ml. tree →
• The scales were calibrated before the weigh-in. tree →
• The engineers calibrated the sensors on the robot. tree →
• Her words were carefully calibrated not to upset anyone. tree →

Note

Noun: calibration. Maths and science: a badly calibrated scale that reads 2 g too heavy will make every reading 2 g too much, so you subtract 2.