I. cal ‧ i ‧ ber /ˈkæləbə, ˈkælɪbə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable, uncountable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: calibre , from Old Italian calibro , from Arabic qalib 'block on which shoes are made' ]
the American spelling of ↑ calibre
II. cal ‧ i ‧ bre BrE AmE British English , caliber American English /ˈkæləbə, ˈkælɪbə $ -ər/ noun
1 . [uncountable] the level of quality or ability that someone or something has achieved
of sb’s calibre
Where will we find another man of his calibre?
The school attracts a high calibre of student.
of high/the right etc calibre
The paintings were of the highest caliber.
of this/that calibre
The city needs a hotel of this calibre (=of this high standard) .
2 . [countable]
a) the width of the inside of a gun or tube:
a .22 caliber rifle
b) the width of a bullet