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
• cipher
• figure
• reckon
• work out

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

Similar to how Nvidia provides the GPU processing power, Microsoft delivers the computing resources, data storage, and networking capabilities that underpin AI development across numerous companies, including OpenAI. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Every word sent to the AI requires computing power to process and respond to, including names. —Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025

To compute stress, an engineer needs to describe the shape of an object. —Zachary Del Rosario, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025

The model has less computing power than the more powerful H100 AI chip, which has already been banned for sale to China. —John Liu, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 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