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

Your private key is a random number; your public key is derived from it through elliptic curve multiplication — a computation that is easy to perform in one direction but, for any classical computer, practically impossible to reverse. —Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The challenge now is to create machines at scale that can reliably carry out these computations. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 May 2026

Previous iterations of Fernandes got the ball in high volume and favoured high-risk/high-reward computations. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 18 May 2026

That’s working off of that kind of computation. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 15 May 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