calculus

noun

cal·​cu·​lus ˈkal-kyə-ləs 

plural calculi ˈkal-kyə-ˌlī 

-ˌlē

also calculuses

1

a

: a method of computation or calculation in a special notation (as of logic or symbolic logic)

b

: the mathematical methods comprising differential and integral calculus

—often used with the

2

: calculation

… even political conservatives agree that an economic calculus must give way to a strategic consciousness when national or global security is at stake.

—Stephen H. Schneider

3

a

: a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ducts

b

: tartar entry 1 sense 1

4

: a system or arrangement of intricate or interrelated parts

Did you know?

In Latin calculus meant “pebble.” Because the Romans used pebbles to do addition and subtraction on a counting board, the word became associated with computation. Other English derivatives include calculator and calculation. Calculus itself has been borrowed into English as a medical term that refers to masses of matter in the body such as kidney stones (a straightforward extension of the meaning “pebble”) and to refer to a system of mathematical computation.

Synonyms

• arithmetic
• calculation
• ciphering
• computation
• figures
• figuring
• math
• mathematics
• number crunching
• numbers
• reckoning

Examples of calculus in a Sentence

by my calculus the more efficient air conditioner will have paid for itself within a span of five years

Recent Examples on the Web

But more than two years into Russia’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine, Mr. Biden’s calculus has changed, administration officials said. —Helene Cooper, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024

But one needn’t hate Jews to make a different moral calculus. —Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024

That ruling was a devastating blow to the regime and likely changed its calculus. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

Iran has promised to retaliate, but the calculus is tricky: The Iranians want to avoid igniting a full-fledged war that might drag in the United States and threaten the survival of Iran’s regime. —Alissa J. Rubin, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

But whether to have a recount should not depend on the political calculus of any candidate. —Daniel Borenstein, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

There are also differences in the share of 12th-graders who advance to calculus, with Asian Americans at 25%, white students 13%, Latinos 7% and Black students 5%, according to a February 2023 report by the Policy Analysis for California Education. —Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Tuesday night was the first reminder of that cold-blooded calculus. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

The calculus changes in places like public bathrooms, where there’s a reasonable and continuing expectation of privacy. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, stone (used in reckoning)

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing calculus

• calculus of variations
• differential calculus
• felicific calculus
• functional calculus
• infinitesimal calculus
• integral calculus
• predicate calculus
• propositional calculus
• sentential calculus

Kids Definition

calculus

noun

cal·​cu·​lus ˈkal-kyə-ləs 

plural calculi -ˌlī 

-ˌlē

also calculuses

1

: a branch of higher mathematics concerned especially with rates of change and the finding of lengths, areas, and volumes

2

a

: a mass that consists mostly of mineral salts and is formed in a hollow organ or bodily duct

b

: tartar entry 1 sense 2

Medical Definition

calculus

noun

cal·​cu·​lus -ləs 

plural calculi -ˌlī, -ˌlē  also calculuses

1

: a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ducts

2

: a concretion on teeth : tartar