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

Children’s novelty costumes Parents can use their child’s school supply lists to purchase items that cost less than $100, such as composition books, crayons, pencils, calculators, erasers and more. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2025

Stock image/file photo: A mortarboard laid on top of a calculator. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Unlike the calculator and even ChatGPT which instantly spits out answers, slide rules force humans to still use their brains, sharpening one’s mental abilities, approximation skills, and logical reasoning. —Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

August was all about preparing for the return to school, with popular grocery items including colored pencils, ring binders, index cards, as well as rulers, notebooks, and calculators. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 June 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

Rhymes for calculator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

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