Definition of calculate
calculated
;calculating
transitive verb
1a : to determine by mathematical processes calculate the rate of accelerationb : to reckon by exercise of practical judgment : estimate calculate the likelihood of successc : 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
3a : to judge to be true or probableb : intend I calculate to do it or perish in the attempt — Mark Twain
intransitive verb
1a : to make a calculationb : to forecast consequences
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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 of calculate from the Web
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The methodology used to calculate a score for each city is based on several factors.
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Two towers are completed that are part of a 16-phase development project that is calculated to be completed in 2025.
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To calculate the number of cases where the deceased was homeless at the time of their death, county investigators count people who died while living on the streets or in hotels or emergency shelters for the homeless.
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Longtime terrorism analysts say the promotion of Hamza bin Laden appears calculated to appeal to young Islamist militants who still admire Osama bin Laden but see al-Qaida as outdated or irrelevant.
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Those strategies became harder to calculate amid more and more yellow-flag slowdowns for crashes, and as pieces fell off cars in the bang-bang style of racing.
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The result will be an immeasurable amount of human suffering, but the other side of the equation is easy to calculate: The President of the United States simply does not care.
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To find out, scientist and educator Miles Traer crunched the numbers and calculated each hero's carbon footprint—
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Most of the world calculates trade deficits by subtracting total imports from total exports.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calculate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of calculate
Latin calculatus, past participle of calculare, from calculus pebble (used in reckoning), perhaps irregular diminutive of calc-, calx lime — more at chalk
First Known Use: 1542
CALCULATE Defined for English Language Learners
calculate
playDefinition of calculate for English Language Learners
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: to find (a number, answer, etc.) by using mathematical processes
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: to get a general idea about the value, size, or cost of (something)
CALCULATE Defined for Kids
calculate
playDefinition of calculate for Students
calculated
;calculating
History for calculate
In Latin the word calculus meant “pebble.” Because the Romans used pebbles to do addition and subtraction on a counting board, the word became associated with computation, and the phrase ponere calculos, literally, “to place pebbles,” was used to mean “to carry out a computation.” Latin words coming from calculus include calculator, “person able to do arithmetic,” and calculare, “to reckon,” from which we get the word calculate.
Learn More about calculate
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See words that rhyme with calculate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for calculate Spanish Central: Translation of calculate Nglish: Translation of calculate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of calculate for Arabic speakers
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