compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt How to pronounce compute (audio)
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

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 The performance benefits in computing power, battery life, and thermal control redefined the MacBook to the point that even the M1 MacBook Air outperformed Windows laptops sold at twice the price. Ewan Spence, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Does not compute: House Republicans dropped legislation that would block the Biden administration from factoring in the social cost of carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, or any other greenhouse gas metric in the rulemaking process. Daniel Moore, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024 The investment in Southeast Asia’s data centers is part of a global push to invest in computing capacity to fuel new AI services. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune Asia, 2 Oct. 2024 Spruce Pine supplies around 70 percent of the naturally occurring HPQ that is needed for computing devices and products. Tommy Greene, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compute 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin computare — more at count

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of compute was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near compute

Cite this Entry

“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

compute

verb
com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt How to pronounce compute (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on compute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!