noun
Uncommon
caliber
KAL-ih-buh
Caliber (noun) means the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or the diameter of a bullet. Example: “The rifle fires a .308 caliber round.”
noun
1
The internal diameter of a gun barrel, or the diameter of a bullet.
"The rifle fires a .308 caliber round."
"Officers found casings of a smaller caliber on the floor of the range."
"Hunting rules often limit which caliber of ammunition may be used."
2
The level of quality, ability, or importance a person or thing has.
"The company only hires engineers of the highest caliber."
"Her latest novel shows a real improvement in caliber compared to her earlier work."
"Players of her caliber rarely lose a match to complete beginners."
How to use caliber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA measurement of a gun's bore size, or, more commonly in everyday speech, a measure of how good or skilled someone or something is.
UK vs US
Spelled "calibre" in British English, "caliber" in American English.
Common pairings
high caliber
a player of this caliber
small-caliber weapon
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Word forms
- Plural
- calibers
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The rifle fires a .308 _____ round.
Etymology
From French calibre, from Italian calibro, of uncertain ultimate origin, possibly linked to Arabic qālib ("mold").
Related words
Rhymes for caliber
See all rhymes for caliber →Frequently asked questions
What does “caliber” mean?
The word “caliber” means the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or the diameter of a bullet. In plain terms, a measurement of a gun's bore size, or, more commonly in everyday speech, a measure of how good or skilled someone or something is.
How do you pronounce “caliber”?
“Caliber” is pronounced KAL-ih-buh (/ˈkæl.ə.bɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “caliber” in a sentence?
Here is “caliber” used in a sentence: “The rifle fires a .308 caliber round.”
What part of speech is “caliber”?
“Caliber” is a noun.
Where does the word “caliber” come from?
The word “caliber” comes from French. From French calibre, from Italian calibro, of uncertain ultimate origin, possibly linked to Arabic qālib ("mold").
Is “caliber” a common word?
“Caliber” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “caliber” have?
“Caliber” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or the diameter of a bullet.
What is the difference between caliber and gauge for firearms?
Caliber measures the internal diameter of a gun barrel or the diameter of a bullet, usually given in inches or millimeters, and is mainly used for rifles and handguns. Gauge is a different measurement system used mainly for shotguns, based on how many lead balls of that barrel's diameter would weigh a pound.
How is caliber used to describe a person rather than a weapon?
When applied to a person, caliber refers to their level of quality, ability, or importance, as in "a scientist of the highest caliber." This figurative use draws on the idea of caliber as a measure of size or capacity, extended to mean the measure of someone's skill or standing.
Is it spelled caliber or calibre?
Both spellings refer to the same word: "caliber" is the standard American English spelling, while "calibre" is the standard British English spelling. Neither is more correct than the other; the choice simply depends on which variety of English is being used.
