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

Both setups were calculated using a target temperature of 700 million Kelvin (60 keV), a pressure of 100,000 atmospheres, and a confinement time of one microsecond. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Get comfortable calculating it accurately, because a sloppy SDE calculation is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility with a serious buyer before negotiations even begin. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Once the ratings period ends, the average score is calculated to determine the final ratings. — Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Those estimates are necessary to build financial aid packages, but the cost of living can change in the months between when the numbers are calculated and when students arrive on campus. — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 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