computed; computing
: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
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
Chuck FinderExamples of compute in a Sentence
for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
Such improvements are crucial for devices like drones that operate with strict limitations on computing power and battery capacity, according to a press release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
The problem was never a lack of computing power.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
Critics say tax breaks offered to data centers are also an unnecessary giveaway given the red-hot demand for computing power.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Oracle shares surged to an all-time closing high of roughly $328 a share in September after the company reported a massive increase in its cloud-computing backlog, primarily from OpenAI.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
The problem was never a lack of computing power.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
Critics say tax breaks offered to data centers are also an unnecessary giveaway given the red-hot demand for computing power.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Oracle shares surged to an all-time closing high of roughly $328 a share in September after the company reported a massive increase in its cloud-computing backlog, primarily from OpenAI.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compute
verb
com·pute
kəm-ˈpyüt 
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
adjective
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
Etymology
from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1
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