compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt How to pronounce compute (audio)
computed; computing

transitive verb

: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer
computing pi to over one billion places

intransitive verb

1
: to make calculation : reckon
They compute by weight in selling grain.
2
: to use a computer
3
informal : to make sense
No matter how you do the math, it will not work … . It simply does not compute.Chuck Finder

Examples of compute in a Sentence

for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web Queries with LLaMA fire between seven and 65 billion parameters, requiring much less computing power and, therefore, computing costs. Justin Davis, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The type of computing GPUs handle is thus more efficient and more valuable than CPUs. Rob Wile, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2024 There is always an excess that is meaningless to the computing architecture at some point. Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024 The undergraduate program offers coursework in topics including machine learning, computing algorithms, data analytics, and advanced robotics. Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 13 Feb. 2024 This model considers computing costs, the likelihood of dishonest behavior, and the impact of incorrect computations on overall system integrity. Max (chong) Li, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Nvidia said at the time that modern computing has put enormous demands on data centers and that Mellanox’s networking technology would make accelerated computing more efficient. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024 Most of the technology used on those missions has long been retired, cast aside by the massive leaps in computing power and material sciences made in the past half-century. Kristin Fisher, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 In 2019, OpenAI garnered $1 billion from Microsoft and spent most of the money buying computing power through Microsoft’s Azure cloud service. Cade Metz, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compute.' 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 computare — more at count

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of compute was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near compute

Cite this Entry

“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compute

verb
com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt How to pronounce compute (audio)
computed; computing
: to determine or calculate especially by mathematical means
also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer
computable
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
adjective
Etymology

from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on compute

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