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

The traditional snowbird lifestyle increasingly comes with a calculator attached to it. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Trip gas calculator Many gas cost calculators online ask for your starting point, destination, any stops along the way and information about your car, such as its make, model and gas mileage. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 30 June 2026

No app or cost per wear calculator is needed. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

The first is a human-centric aspiration that prioritizes human understanding of mathematics and treats AI as a tool, much like a calculator. — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026

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