caliper

1 of 2

noun

cal·​i·​per ˈka-lə-pər 

1

a

: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used especially to measure diameter or thickness

—usually plural

a pair of calipers

b

: a device for pressing a frictional material (such as a brake pad) against the sides of a rotating wheel or disc

2

: thickness especially of paper, cardboard, or a tree

Illustration of caliper

• caliper 1a

caliper

2 of 2

verb

calipered; calipering ˈka-lə-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to measure by or as if by calipers

Examples of caliper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Braking comes courtesy of a 310-mm front disc paired with a twin-piston axial-mount caliper, while a 255-mm rear disc gets a single-piston caliper. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Its Desert Sand paint, Rally graphics, raised rear spoiler and red brake calipers give it a decidedly more extroverted personality than the garden-variety electric crossover. — Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Braking performance for the KB998 Rimini began to fade after multiple 20- to 30-minute sessions, something of a surprise given the Brembo 330-millimeter rotors and M50 monobloc calipers. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

Electronic actuators control the brake calipers instead of hydraulic lines carrying brake fluid. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of caliber

First Known Use

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1793, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing caliper

• vernier caliper

Kids Definition

caliper

noun

cal·​i·​per

ˈkal-ə-pər

: a measuring instrument with two legs or jaws that can be adjusted to determine thickness, diameter, or distance between surfaces

—usually used in plural

a pair of calipers

Medical Definition

caliper

1 of 2 noun

cal·​i·​per

variants or chiefly British calliper

ˈkal-ə-pər 

1

: any of various measuring instruments having two usually adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used to measure thickness, diameter, and distance between surfaces

—usually used in plural

a pair of calipers

2

: caliper splint

caliper

2 of 2 transitive verb

variants or chiefly British calliper

calipered; calipering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to measure by or as if by calipers