calculation

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: the process or an act of calculating

b

: the result of an act of calculating

2

a

: studied care in analyzing or planning

b

: cold heartless planning to promote self-interest

calculational

ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• arithmetic
• calculus
• ciphering
• computation
• figures
• figuring
• math
• mathematics
• number crunching
• numbers
• reckoning

Examples of calculation in a Sentence

According to experts' calculations, that star will explode within two billion years.

The computer can do millions of calculations each second.

Careful calculation is required to determine the required amount of fuel.

The book reveals the cold calculations that were behind the government's policies.

His positions are based on political calculation of what voters want to hear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Does pricing use this new information to update their differential value calculation and capture rates? —Jeet Mukherjee, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

Their contrasting calculations may reflect in part the difference in their ages and life experiences. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024

Online sales of physical goods rose by just under 1% in August from a year ago, according to CNBC calculations of official data. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2024

These calculations weigh state-by-state incomes – that’s paychecks plus government assistance – against local costs of living. —Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calculacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French calculacione, borrowed from Late Latin calculātiōn-, calculātiō, from calculāre "to count, calculate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

calculation

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: the process or an act of calculating

b

: the result obtained by calculation

2

: care in planning : caution