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

Missing Context in the Announcement In September 2024, the BOP implemented a new calculator to anticipate the effects of the First Step Act after other iterations of the calculator proved to be an inaccurate tool. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Its tree benefit calculator (treebenefits.com/calculator) can give you an idea of how much value a particular species, at various circumferences, will add to your property. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025

With one point separating Newcastle in third from Nottingham Forest in seventh, Elias Burke grabbed his calculator and crunched the numbers. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 May 2025

The deposit has not kept pace with inflation — five cents in 1971 would be equal to 40 cents today, according to the consumer price index’s inflation calculator — but many low-income residents rely on it. —Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 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