calculator

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tor ˈkal-kyə-ˌlā-tər 

: one that calculates: such as

a

: a usually electronic device for performing mathematical calculations

b

: a person who operates a calculator

Examples of calculator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From Plato questioning whether writing would undermine wisdom, to modern debates about calculators in education, people have long worried that labor-saving tools might reflect poorly on users' abilities. —ArsTechnica, 8 May 2025

Many savings plans at work host online retirement savings calculators that can help do the math for you. —Steve Vernon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

The company's manifesto unabashedly promotes the tool as an aid to cheating and likens its arrival to inventions like calculators, spell checkers, and Google. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025

The income tax estimates were created using an in-house calculator for people who filed as single or head of household. —Kendrick Marshall, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calkelatour "one who counts or computes, mathematician," borrowed from Latin calculātōr-, calculātor "teacher of arithmetic," from calculā- (attested in Late Latin as the stem of calculāre "to count, calculate") + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing calculator

• pocket calculator

Rhymes for calculator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

calculator

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tor ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt-ər 

1

: one that calculates

2

: a usually small electronic device for making mathematical calculations