calculation

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce calculation (audio)
1
a
: the process or an act of calculating
b
: the result of an act of calculating
2
a
: studied care in analyzing or planning
b
: cold heartless planning to promote self-interest
calculational
ˌkal-kyə-ˈlāsh-nəl How to pronounce calculation (audio)
-ˈlā-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of calculation in a Sentence

According to experts' calculations, that star will explode within two billion years. The computer can do millions of calculations each second. Careful calculation is required to determine the required amount of fuel. The book reveals the cold calculations that were behind the government's policies. His positions are based on political calculation of what voters want to hear.
Recent Examples on the Web But the board's own calculations indicate about 966 kids are unenrolled. Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023 Mortgages are considered in several categories, including length of credit history, credit mix calculations and payment history, said Ethan Dornhelm, vice president of scores and predictive analytics at FICO. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023 The deal will value Arm at as much as $54.5 billion at the top end of the range, according to Bloomberg News calculations. Liana Baker, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2023 Millions of parents - mothers, in particular - could soon be making similar calculations, as states run out of $24 billion in stimulus money Congress had set aside for child care during the pandemic. Abha Bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023 Mercedes did not share the battery size, but the same calculations used to make the above estimates suggest that 90.0 kWh of usable capacity is likely. Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 3 Sep. 2023 This is also a tricky calculation for a utility: They’re required by law to provide electricity—for critical infrastructure like wastewater treatment facilities, for businesses, and for people who rely on medical equipment—but also don’t want to spark a catastrophic fire. Matt Simon, WIRED, 1 Sep. 2023 Together, Toyota’s plants in Japan account for approximately a third of the automaker’s global production, according to Reuters calculations. Junko Ogura, CNN, 29 Aug. 2023 In the calculation of the autocratic president, Mr. Prigozhin was a useful opportunist with a ruthless streak. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calculation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of calculation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near calculation

Cite this Entry

“Calculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculation. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

calculation

noun
cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce calculation (audio)
1
a
: the process or an act of calculating
b
: the result obtained by calculation
2
: care in planning : caution

More from Merriam-Webster on calculation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!