calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce calculate (audio)
calculated; calculating

transitive verb

1
a
: to determine by mathematical processes
calculate the rate of acceleration
b
: to reckon by exercise of practical judgment : estimate
calculate the likelihood of success
c
: to solve or probe the meaning of : figure out
trying to calculate his expressionHugh MacLennan
2
: to design or adapt for a purpose
he carefully calculated the timing of his arrival for maximum impact
3
a
: to judge to be true or probable
b
: intend
I calculate to do it or perish in the attemptMark Twain

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make a calculation
b
: to forecast consequences
2
: count, rely

Examples of calculate in a Sentence

calculate the volume of a cylinder I need to calculate how long it will take me to drive to Chicago. We calculated the cost of new carpeting for the whole house. We need to calculate our chances of success before we invest more money in the business.
Recent Examples on the Web The researchers calculated that the state had reduced emissions an average of 1.5% annually between 2010 and 2021. Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Munn says her doctor calculated that her lifetime risk was at 37%. Kristina Behr, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Insurers use catastrophe models to calculate rates in every other state, but California has instead required the companies to use only historic loss experience based on the past 20 years. John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, or approximately 3.14 (its exact value is infinite and can’t be calculated). Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The board is still working to gain the trust of key groups, more than four months after it was discovered UA had far less cash on hand than previously calculated. The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 The researchers calculated that an annular eclipse might have taken place on 1207 B.C., a time when other Egyptian evidence describes a battle with the Israelites at Canaan. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 This provided a general estimate of the average car owner’s tax rate, rather than calculating the true median rate that residents are charged. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Bloomberg Economics calculated the odds at a hundred per cent. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calculate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin calculatus, past participle of calculare, from calculus pebble (used in reckoning), perhaps irregular diminutive of calc-, calx lime — more at chalk

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of calculate was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near calculate

Cite this Entry

“Calculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

calculate

verb
cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce calculate (audio)
calculated; calculating
1
: to find by performing mathematical operations (as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) : compute
calculate the average
2
: estimate entry 1 sense 1
calculate the risk of losing
3
: to plan by careful thought
a program calculated to succeed
Etymology

from Latin calculatus "calculate," derived from calculus "pebble (used in counting)," from calc-, calx "stone used in gambling, lime" — related to calcium, chalk

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