computed; computing
: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
1
: to make calculation : reckon
They compute by weight in selling grain.
2
: to use a computer
3
informal
: to make sense
No matter how you do the math, it will not work … . It simply does not compute.—
Chuck Finder
Chuck FinderExamples of compute in a Sentence
for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
Her creation involved everything from sound engineering and text-to-speech software to AI computing servers.
—Faye Bradley, Variety, 4 July 2025
In calculating prescription drug price comparisons, simply computing the differences between prices isn’t sufficient.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Just yesterday, for example, OpenAI agreed to rent a massive amount of computing power from Oracle data centers as part of its Stargate initiative, which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 3 July 2025
Large data centers, with a huge amount of computing equipment on site, require cooling systems, which use hundreds of thousands of gallons every day.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Faye Bradley, Variety, 4 July 2025
In calculating prescription drug price comparisons, simply computing the differences between prices isn’t sufficient.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Just yesterday, for example, OpenAI agreed to rent a massive amount of computing power from Oracle data centers as part of its Stargate initiative, which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 3 July 2025
Large data centers, with a huge amount of computing equipment on site, require cooling systems, which use hundreds of thousands of gallons every day.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compute
verb
com·pute
kəm-ˈpyüt 
computed; computing
1
: to determine or calculate especially by mathematical means
also
: to determine or calculate by means of a computer
2
informal
: to make sense
computable
adjective
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
Etymology
from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1
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