compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt 

computed; computing

transitive verb

: to determine especially by mathematical means

Compute the area of the triangle.

also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer

computing pi to over one billion places

intransitive verb

1

: to make calculation : reckon

They compute by weight in selling grain.

2

: to use a computer

3

informal : to make sense

No matter how you do the math, it will not work … . It simply does not compute.

—Chuck Finder

Synonyms

• calculate
• cipher
• figure
• reckon
• work out

Examples of compute in a Sentence

for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator

Recent Examples on the Web

Over time, Moore’s Law enabled Nvidia to make GPUs with tens, hundreds, and eventually thousands of computing cores. —Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024

The infrastructure layer, which provides the computing resources to run it all. —Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Analysts praised Google for advancing technology leadership, signaling potential breakthroughs in computing power and commercial applications. —Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024

The blog post includes a list of technical tactics Tian allegedly used to hoard ByteDance’s computing resources for his own work. —Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin computare — more at count

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing compute

• pre-compute

Kids Definition

compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt 

computed; computing

1

: to determine or calculate especially by mathematical means

also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer

2

informal : to make sense

computable

-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl

adjective

Etymology

from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1