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

In a farewell-for-now social-media post, the family-run restaurant recalled first-day system glitches that sent staff turning to calculators to figure out meal bills. —Michael Deeds updated May 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2026

Everything was entered in pounds, but customers ordered in cases and pieces, which meant every transaction required manual math in your head or with a calculator. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 May 2026

Adjusted for inflation, that would be around £18,200 ($24,243) today, per the Bank of England’s inflation calculator. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026

There is a black landline that is, oddly, frequently in use and an electric calculator used to tally up bills. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 14 May 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