'recalibration' originates from the Latin prefix 're-' (meaning 'again') combined with 'calibration', itself from French 'calibrer' or English 'caliber/calibre' lineage. 'calibrer' / 'calibre' come from Italian 'calibro', ultimately related to Arabic 'qalib' meaning 'mold' or 'pattern'.

'recalibration' was formed in modern English by adding the prefix 're-' to 'calibration' (from French 'calibrer' and Italian 'calibro'), which ultimately traces back to Arabic 'qalib' via Mediterranean languages; 'calibration' developed in English to mean determining or adjusting a scale or standard, and 'recalibration' came to mean performing that action again.

Initially, related words referred to 'measuring size or standard (calibre)' and the act of setting a scale; over time the sense shifted to 'adjusting instruments or systems for accuracy', and 'recalibration' now specifically denotes doing that adjustment again to restore or improve accuracy.