calculation

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

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-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of calculation

• math
• arithmetic
• computation
• mathematics
• numbers

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

Someone who isn't eligible for student loan forgiveness and has stable finances, strong credit and a substantially lower private refinancing offer may have a different calculation. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Furthermore, his sale would be recorded as pure profit in financial calculations, as academy players have a book value of zero. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

The report indicates that families need to factor in childcare and early childhood education into affordability calculations, says Sara Mauskopf, co-founder and CEO of Winnie. — Andrew Moran, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

The calculation changes when manufacturers cannot justify rebuilding a production line for one difficult or irregular task. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calculacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French calculacione, borrowed from Late Latin calculātiōn-, calculātiō, from calculāre "to count, calculate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for calculation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

calculation

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: the process or an act of calculating

b

: the result obtained by calculation

2

: care in planning : caution