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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 18 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share