calculator

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tor ˈkal-kyə-ˌlā-tər 

: one that calculates: such as

a

: a usually electronic device for performing mathematical calculations

b

: a person who operates a calculator

Examples of calculator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Complementing it is a low-level calculator that acts as the body. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

Shopify’s leadership team recently cancelled more than 12,000 recurring meetings and even introduced a calculator showing how much each calendar invite costs in salaries, the Financial Times reported. —Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

For decades, the profession has been stereotyped as a world of calculators and spreadsheets, quietly humming in the background of business. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

Jones points out that healthcare providers also use a risk calculator to estimate a person's individual risk of heart disease, as part of a treatment plan. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calkelatour "one who counts or computes, mathematician," borrowed from Latin calculātōr-, calculātor "teacher of arithmetic," from calculā- (attested in Late Latin as the stem of calculāre "to count, calculate") + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing calculator

• pocket calculator

Rhymes for calculator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

calculator

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tor ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt-ər 

1

: one that calculates

2

: a usually small electronic device for making mathematical calculations