compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt 

computed; computing

transitive verb

: to determine especially by mathematical means

Compute the area of the triangle.

also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer

computing pi to over one billion places

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms

• calculate
• figure

Examples of compute in a Sentence

for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are the key facts about the warship’s capabilities: The Aegis edge At the heart of each destroyer is the Aegis combat system, a combination of radar, computing power and missile technology that allows for real-time detection and engagement of multiple threats. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025

Health insurance companies plug you into their formulas to compute your premiums and payouts, hospital managers use formulas to shape staff sizes and hours, and triage nurses use a point system to determine your spot in line at the emergency room. —Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025

President Donald Trump's nominee to be the new U.S. commissioner of Labor Statistics recently suggested the agency stop issuing monthly jobs reports until the methodology used to compute the figures is changed. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025

Research by the the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co Inc. estimates that data centers will require $6.7 trillion to meet demand for computing power globally by 2030. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin computare — more at count

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing compute

• pre-compute

Rhymes for compute

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• confute
• dilute
• dispute
• elute
• grapefruit

Kids 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

-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl

adjective

Etymology

from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1