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

Standing at about 6-foot-3 and weighing 305 pounds, Humphreys would be clinically obese, according to the CDC’s body mass index calculator. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

The New York Times playoff calculator puts their chances of making the NFL playoffs at 12% (though that percentage-chance would rise to 47% if the Chiefs win out, starting with Sunday’s noon home game against the Los Angeles Chargers). —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Dec. 2025

Dallas Cowboys’ playoff chances take big hit Entering the game Thursday, per a playoff calculator, the Cowboys’ chances of making the postseason with a win against the Lions increased to 41 percent. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Dec. 2025

The National Weather Service also has a wind chill calculator available online. —Dan Basso, Freep.com, 3 Dec. 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