calculation

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce calculation (audio)
1
a
: the process or an act of calculating
b
: the result of an act of calculating
2
a
: studied care in analyzing or planning
b
: cold heartless planning to promote self-interest
calculational adjective

Examples of calculation in a Sentence

According to experts' calculations, that star will explode within two billion years. The computer can do millions of calculations each second. Careful calculation is required to determine the required amount of fuel. The book reveals the cold calculations that were behind the government's policies. His positions are based on political calculation of what voters want to hear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Western intelligence agencies have been reluctant to disclose their internal calculations of Ukrainian casualties for fear of undermining an ally. Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Goldman Sachs estimates across-the-board tariffs on Canada and Mexico — excluding China from its calculations — will result in a 0.7% increase in core prices and a 0.4% hit to gross domestic product. Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025 Yet Trump, apparently swayed by wealthy donors with financial stakes in ByteDance and his own personal political calculations, has decided the law doesn't apply to him. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Policy involves trade-offs, setting priorities, risk-reward calculations, and, in democracies anyway, a continuing political debate. The Editors, National Review, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for calculation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calculacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French calculacione, borrowed from Late Latin calculātiōn-, calculātiō, from calculāre "to count, calculate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of calculation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near calculation

Cite this Entry

“Calculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculation. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

calculation

noun
cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce calculation (audio)
1
a
: the process or an act of calculating
b
: the result obtained by calculation
2
: care in planning : caution

More from Merriam-Webster on calculation

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