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

And that's when their calculations revealed that these animals were probably gargantuan — well larger than the giant Pacific octopus, today's biggest member of the family whose arm span often exceeds 13 feet. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026

The team evaluated the size of the ancient octopuses using allometric calculation—a method that used the proportional growth rates of modern, long-bodied finned octopuses to extrapolate the size of their extinct relatives. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026

In the first 52 days since the conflict started, rising oil and gas prices have forced the bloc to spend an additional €24 billion (around $28 billion) on fossil fuel imports compared to previous levels, according to calculations from the European Commission. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

Prior to the pandemic, the city relied on a consultant’s living wage calculation using the federal poverty rate for a family of three, adjusted upward to account for San Jose’s higher cost of living. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 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