Definition

Noun: 1. The internal diameter of a gun barrel or the diameter of a projectile (like a bullet): This is the original and most precise technical meaning. It is a measurement, often expressed in inches or millimeters. 2. The level of ability, quality, or excellence of a person or thing: This is a figurative extension of the first meaning, suggesting a measurement of worth or capacity. It refers to someone's competence, character, or the standard of something.

Examples of Usage

• Meaning 1 (Diameter):
  • The pistol fires bullets of .45 caliber.
  • The bore of the rifle has a caliber of 7.62 millimeters.
• Meaning 2 (Quality/Ability):
  • The university attracts students of the highest caliber.
  • We need to hire engineers of a different caliber to solve this complex problem.
  • His work is not of the caliber required for this promotion.

Advanced Usage

• "of high/low/exceptional caliber": This is the most common collocation when using the word figuratively to describe quality.
  • The festival featured musicians of exceptional caliber.
  • The argument was of such low caliber that it wasn't taken seriously.

Variants and Related Words

• Calibre: This is the standard British English spelling. The word "caliber" is the standard American English spelling. Both are correct and have identical meanings.
• Calibrate (verb): To mark or adjust a measuring instrument. Figuratively, it can mean to carefully assess, adjust, or correlate something.
  • The technician calibrated the scale for accuracy.
  • She calibrated her response based on the audience's reaction.

Synonyms

• For Meaning 1 (Diameter): Bore, gauge, diameter.
• For Meaning 2 (Quality): Quality, standard, grade, stature, ability, competence, merit.

Related Phrases

• Small-caliber / Large-caliber: These can be used both literally (referring to gun size) and figuratively (referring to significance).
  • It was only a small-caliber pistol. (Literal)
  • The senator is a large-caliber politician with decades of experience. (Figurative)

Noun

1. diameter of a tube or gun barrel
2. a degree or grade of excellence or worth
   • the quality of students has risen
   • an executive of low caliber