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

Big Oil gets religion on computing Aramco is hardly the only oil company to seize on AI and quantum. —Byvivienne Walt, Fortune, 26 June 2024

In the early 1950s, small, peculiar love letters were pinned up on the walls of the computing lab at the University of Manchester. —Patricia Fancher, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2024

As the world rushes towards another rabbit hole of new computing technology, there is a growing concern about the excessive energy utilization from computing infrastructure. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2024

That has changed in recent years as the military seeks to capture the superior software skills and computing power that Silicon Valley firms have to offer to build a new generation of military technology. —William D. Hartung, The Mercury News, 25 June 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