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-ˈlāsh-nəl 

-ˈlā-shə-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

Each is the other’s out-of-region game-changer, a factor that must play into the calculations of all other players… Give Ghani a Chance After years of broken promises, there is reason to believe that the pronouncements about a better U.S.–Afghan future deserve the benefit of the doubt. —Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

That estimate is also almost certainly on the low end as the calculations account for the yacht being on standby rather than in transit. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 9 June 2024

By Battery’s calculation, the overall investable market opportunity for these categories is about $2.1 trillion, with industrial tech adding $1.3 trillion, and life science tools adding $800 billion. —Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 June 2024

Important point: Because each multi-year score is based on the average of the four most recent single-year scores, the 963 reported for 2019 will be removed from the calculation next spring and replaced by whatever single-year score the Ducks generate in this academic year. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024

Word History

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