computed; computing
: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
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
Chuck FinderExamples of compute in a Sentence
for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
The strong stock performance came after equity research firm Arete Research Services lifted its rating on Baidu’s American depositary receipts to buy from sell, based on a positive outlook for its AI chip and cloud-computing revenue.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Outer space is filled with asteroids, and any that appear to be in danger of approaching Earth is tracked by NASA, with the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) computing their odds of impact.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Most executives over 45 entered the workforce before the internet was mainstream, adapted to cloud computing mid-career, and learned mobile development on the job.
—Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
After graduation, Natthaphong founded a cloud computing company before first getting elected as a Future Forward MP in 2019.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Dylan Butts, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Outer space is filled with asteroids, and any that appear to be in danger of approaching Earth is tracked by NASA, with the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) computing their odds of impact.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Most executives over 45 entered the workforce before the internet was mainstream, adapted to cloud computing mid-career, and learned mobile development on the job.
—Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
After graduation, Natthaphong founded a cloud computing company before first getting elected as a Future Forward MP in 2019.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
Etymology
from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1
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