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
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
When a soccer player runs downfield in anticipation of the ball being passed to them, the goal is to have the ball arrive where the player will be in the future, but that mental calculation is familiar to us, intuitively, because the soccer field itself is static and unchanging.
—
Big Think, 25 Feb. 2026
While CDs have fixed interest rates that allow for precise interest-earning calculations, high-yield savings, money market and traditional savings accounts have variable rates that will change over time, especially over an extended period.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
New in-game levers like the shot-in-the-dark and endless advantages have changed the game of Survivor to game theory that rewards probability calculation over spearing fish.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 24 Feb. 2026
The Yale Budget Lab updated its calculation of how much the levies would cost American households following the Supreme Court ruling and found tariffs will still increase consumer bills by $600 to $800 on average.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calculation
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Big Think, 25 Feb. 2026
While CDs have fixed interest rates that allow for precise interest-earning calculations, high-yield savings, money market and traditional savings accounts have variable rates that will change over time, especially over an extended period.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
New in-game levers like the shot-in-the-dark and endless advantages have changed the game of Survivor to game theory that rewards probability calculation over spearing fish.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 24 Feb. 2026
The Yale Budget Lab updated its calculation of how much the levies would cost American households following the Supreme Court ruling and found tariffs will still increase consumer bills by $600 to $800 on average.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calculation
Cite this Entry
“Calculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculation. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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