calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 

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 expression

—Hugh 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 attempt

—Mark Twain

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a calculation

b

: to forecast consequences

2

: count, rely

Synonyms

• cipher
• compute
• figure
• reckon
• work out

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

Then, that data was used to set personalized goals, calculate PowerZone metrics and recommend specific classes. —Andrew Schultz, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

One proposal would let employers calculate overtime based on a longer stretch of time, so workers would earn 1.5 times their regular pay only after exceeding 80 hours over a two-week period. —Andrea Hsu, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024

Although Medicare's official health care spending report doesn't calculate how much the nation spends on administrative tasks, Harvard's Cutler estimates that up to 25% of medical spending is due to administrative costs. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

The company has calculated that, in some states, this reduction could impact more than two-fifths of its ABA therapy provider groups in network and up to 19% of its patients in therapy. —Annie Waldman, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin calculātus, past participle of calculāre "to count, reckon, compute," derivative of Latin calculus "pebble, pebble used for calculating on a counting board, method or result of calculation" — more at calculus

Note: The verb may already have existed in Latin, to judge by the derivative calculātor—see calculator.

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 

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