caliber

cal-i-ber · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The internal diameter of a gun barrel or the diameter of a bullet or shell.

  2. 2.

    The quality or level of someone's ability or the standard of something.

  3. 3.

    The diameter of a round or cylindrical body, especially a tube or pipe.

Forms

plural: calibers

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    of high caliber — of excellent quality
  • •
    of that caliber — of that level or standard

Related words

See also: bore, diameter, quality, standard
Synonyms: bore, grade, quality, standard

Etymology

From French calibre, from Italian calibro, possibly from Arabic qalib ("mold, form, last") or from Greek kalopodion ("shoemaker's last"). Originally referred to the size of a bullet or bore of a firearm.