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

Structured computation and data management, including calculations, allocations and scenario modeling, should remain within deterministic planning systems, while agents orchestrate and interpret on top of that foundation. — Hemant Kapadia, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Analysts on Wall Street are keeping an eye on data center construction, a big part of the boom in private computation capacity, as an issue that could be affected by the outcome of the midterms. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

This kind of history-dependent computation does not require neurons. — Shiladitya Banerjee, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Instead, the paper traces the entire computation down to the operations a future machine would need to perform. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 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