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

Catch up quick: Swan, a financial services company focused on the world's oldest digital asset, decided last year to get into the bitcoin mining business, which consists of using massive amounts of computing power to verify blockchain transactions in return for bitcoin rewards. —Brady Dale, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024

The report used each repeat sale to compute the compound annual return (CAR) of the fluctuation in price over time between purchase and sale. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 27 Sep. 2024

The huge amount of computing power required by generative AI is having the greatest impact on data storage, followed by continued cloud growth. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024

Data centers house the vast amounts of computing power needed for AI workloads. —Weizhen Tan, CNBC, 23 Sep. 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