calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 

calculated; calculating

transitive verb

1

a

: to determine by mathematical processes

calculate the rate of acceleration

b

: to reckon by exercise of practical judgment : estimate

calculate the likelihood of success

c

: to solve or probe the meaning of : figure out

… trying to calculate his expression.

—Hugh MacLennan

2

: to design or adapt for a purpose

He carefully calculated the timing of his arrival for maximum impact.

3

a

: to judge to be true or probable

b

: intend

I calculate to do it or perish in the attempt.

—Mark Twain

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a calculation

b

: to forecast consequences

2

: count, rely

Synonyms of calculate

• compute
• figure
• estimate
• assess
• measure

Examples of calculate in a Sentence

calculate the volume of a cylinder

I need to calculate how long it will take me to drive to Chicago.

We calculated the cost of new carpeting for the whole house.

We need to calculate our chances of success before we invest more money in the business.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sizing up your remaining years like that can be a cold, calculating exercise, with the biggest unknown being your health. — Santul Nerkar, New York Times, 20 July 2026

The comparison is imprecise because prediction markets and gambling companies calculate activity differently, and the sportsbooks have not yet released their recent internal numbers. — Nathaniel Popper, Fortune, 19 July 2026

However, CoStar found the assessed values — used to calculate property taxes — of Class A offices in the city tumbled by $152 million, or 23%, between 2019 and 2025. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

While Amazon shipping varies, postage from Harymor will be calculated based on weight, size and address. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin calculātus, past participle of calculāre "to count, reckon, compute," derivative of Latin calculus "pebble, pebble used for calculating on a counting board, method or result of calculation" — more at calculus

Note: The verb may already have existed in Latin, to judge by the derivative calculātor—see calculator.

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for calculate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 

calculated; calculating

1

: to find by performing mathematical operations (as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) : compute

calculate the average

2

: estimate entry 1 sense 1

calculate the risk of losing

3

: to plan by careful thought

a program calculated to succeed

Etymology

from Latin calculatus "calculate," derived from calculus "pebble (used in counting)," from calc-, calx "stone used in gambling, lime" — related to calcium, chalk