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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

-pyü-

adjective

computationally adverb

Synonyms

• 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

The difference this time is that there are only a few who can do the buildout, namely Oracle and Coreweave, as well as Nvidia and other chipmakers that help out in the computation and communications process. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025

According to the team, these computations should make the system feasible for industrial-scale use. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025

This is what enables full-scale quantum computation. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025

The team tweaked the LLMs to ensure compatibility with FHE, such as replacing some complex mathematical functions with their approximations for more efficient computation. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2025

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