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
Oracle — The cloud computing stock surged nearly 9% after fourth-quarter earnings and revenue beat analyst estimates.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 12 June 2025
Resource Efficiency - Many advanced AI systems are now designed to optimize their use of computing power.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
The bill paid for an upgrade of the NSFNET backbone, as well as a separate funding initiative for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
NCSA, based out of the University of Illinois, became a dream location for computing research.
—ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
This unchecked growth and unjustified techno-optimism comes with incredible environmental consequences, including expanding demand for computing power, larger carbon footprints, shifts in patterns of electricity and water demands and an accelerated depletion of natural resources.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Michelle Fox, CNBC, 12 June 2025
Resource Efficiency - Many advanced AI systems are now designed to optimize their use of computing power.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
The bill paid for an upgrade of the NSFNET backbone, as well as a separate funding initiative for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
NCSA, based out of the University of Illinois, became a dream location for computing research.
—ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
This unchecked growth and unjustified techno-optimism comes with incredible environmental consequences, including expanding demand for computing power, larger carbon footprints, shifts in patterns of electricity and water demands and an accelerated depletion of natural resources.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 10 June 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 15 Jun. 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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