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

Recipients can use an SSA calculator to figure out their payment total. —Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025

For those who are more used to weight in pounds and height in feet and inches, there are a number of online calculators. —Faye Chiu, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025

But their emergence also sparked plenty of controversy among educators worried about how calculators would impact learning. —Mia Taylor, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025

An inflation calculator shows that the real average hourly earnings for 2023 should equal $11.44 in December 2024 to maintain the same purchasing power. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 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

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