calculation

noun

cal·cu·la·tion | \ ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of calculation

1a : the process or an act of calculating

b : the result of an act of calculating

2a : studied care in analyzing or planning

b : cold heartless planning to promote self-interest

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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

Because next up would be bright green, according to my calculation. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Not Only Is Cardi B's Hair Now Pink, It's Double Ombré Pink," 10 Jan. 2019 Their calculations matched, but the two researchers wanted to be sure. — Nola Taylor Redd, Space.com, "Celebrating 40 Years of Pluto's Largest Moon, Charon," 14 July 2018 Natisri posted several photos and videos from the mission on Facebook, showing his calculations for the water pumping. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Illinois restaurant owner joins effort to rescue boys trapped in Thai cave," 9 July 2018 According to my calculations, 73.2 percent of black women have a photograph of Barack and Michelle in their phones as an example of black love. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "Donald Trump is Not Making White People More Racist, He's Making Them Act More Racist," 5 July 2018 That overall weakening trade shaved 8.6% from China’s overall economic activity, according to calculations by The Wall Street Journal, which are based on official data. — Lingling Wei, WSJ, "China’s Annual Economic Growth Rate Is Slowest Since 1990," 21 Jan. 2019 And at the district level, according to Bitzer’s calculations, the Ninth had a much higher rate of unreturned absentee ballots than any other district in North Carolina. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "More evidence piles up in North Carolina election fraud scandal," 26 Dec. 2018 The experimental results could then be compared to extensive calculations using multiple models. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Quark-gluon plasma reveals viscosity-free properties," 19 Dec. 2018 Over the course of the summit, Trump upped his demand to 4 percent, a target that is above the United States’ own spending on defense, according to NATO calculations. — Tessa Berenson/brussels, Time, "'NATO Is Much Stronger Now': Trump Claims Victory After Contentious Summit," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calculation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near calculation

Statistics for calculation

Last Updated

7 Feb 2019

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Time Traveler for calculation

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

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More Definitions for calculation

calculation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of calculation

: a process or result of calculating something

: careful thought and planning that is done usually for selfish reasons

See the full definition for calculation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

calculation

noun

cal·cu·la·tion | \ ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən

Kids Definition of calculation

: the process or result of adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing Careful calculation is required. Our calculations indicate a slight increase.