computation

noun

com·​pu·​ta·​tion ˌkäm-pyu̇-ˈtā-shən 

-pyü-

1

a

: the act or action of computing : calculation

b

: the use or operation of a computer

2

: a system of reckoning

3

: an amount computed

computational

ˌkäm-pyu̇-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-pyü-

adjective

computationally adverb

Synonyms of computation

• calculation
• math
• arithmetic

Examples of computation in a Sentence

methods used for the computation of taxes

The solution required a series of computations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Photonic processors are chip systems that use light to move data and, in some cases, to perform computation. —Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026

Amazon makes most of its money providing computations and storage in the cloud. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026

This is critical for maintaining coherence in quantum systems during longer computations. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026

Since the research center gained attention in 2022 studying the amount of computation power leading AI companies used to train their models, Epoch AI has expanded to study the price of AI services, the construction of data centers around the world and the types of chips used to develop AI models. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for computation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

computation

noun

com·​pu·​ta·​tion ˌkäm-pyu̇-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or action of computing : calculation

2

: a system of calculating especially by mathematical means

3

: an amount computed

computational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective