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

Driving the news: The Detroit area will gain more than three hours between now and the summer solstice on June 20, per NOAA's solar calculator. —Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025

Ortiz said a clean-out of bathroom sewer lines in November yielded 28 vaping devices, several pencils, a phone charger and a calculator. —Sophia Urias, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

Use online cost calculators and talk to other people who have done other similar projects. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025

Two Texas men who authorities say stole $18,500 in graphing calculators from eight east-metro Target stores last year are among the first to be sentenced under Minnesota’s organized retail theft law, which hit the books in August 2023. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 17 Mar. 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