calibre
/kaˈlibɾe/
In Spanish, the word for gauge is calibre.
calibre is used to mean a measure, a standard of measure. In technical contexts such as engineering or ballistics, it refers specifically to the diameter of a bore or the size of a projectile. If you are referring to the act of measuring, you should use the verb medir or the verbs tantear or estimar to mean to estimate.
Meaning: a measure, a standard of measure, an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity, a standard (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈlibɾe/
Did you know?
- The word calibre entered Spanish via French, but its ultimate root is the Arabic word qālib, which originally meant 'mold'.
- To describe a 'gauge' in the sense of a dashboard dial, such as a fuel gauge, Spanish uses indicador or reloj rather than calibre.
- If you use calibre to describe a person's intellect, you are using a metaphor that compares mental capacity to the diameter of a tool or projectile.
Examples in context
- Necesitamos un calibrador de presión para este experimentoWe need a pressure gauge for this experiment
- El medidor de combustible está rotoThe fuel gauge is broken
- Este instrumento de medida es muy precisoThis gauge is very accurate
- El aparato medidor de temperatura está funcionando malThe temperature gauge is malfunctioning
- El indicador de velocidad está en ceroThe speed gauge is at zero
- calibrador de presiónPressure gauge
- medidor de velocidadSpeed gauge
- aparato medidor de temperaturaTemperature gauge
- Necesito un instrumento para medir la presión de los neumáticosI need a gauge to measure tire pressure
- Este tubo tiene un calibre muy pequeño.This tube has a very small gauge.
- Necesito saber el calibre de ese cable.I need to know the gauge of that cable.
- El calibre de la bala es de nueve milímetros.The gauge of the bullet is nine millimeters.
Example conversation
Alejandro is helping Elena repair some electrical equipment in a workshop.
- AlejandroElena, ¿sabes qué calibre tiene este cable?Elena, do you know what gauge this cable has?
- ElenaNo estoy segura, déjame revisarlo.I am not sure, let me check it.
- AlejandroParece un calibre estándar para esta máquina.It looks like a standard gauge for this machine.
- ElenaTienes razón, es el calibre adecuado.You are right, it is the right gauge.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry calibre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calibre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
