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
Part of the reason is that computing the time scale of quantum decoherence is beyond the capacity of today’s classical computers.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
Akamai Technologies — Shares of the cloud computing company dropped about 10% in the after-hours session after Akamai gave disappointing first-quarter guidance.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Nvidia’s deal with Meta signals a new era in computing power.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The new school will expand the visibility of UT’s work on computing and collaborate closely with Texas Advanced Computing Center and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Vanden Bout said.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
Akamai Technologies — Shares of the cloud computing company dropped about 10% in the after-hours session after Akamai gave disappointing first-quarter guidance.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Nvidia’s deal with Meta signals a new era in computing power.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The new school will expand the visibility of UT’s work on computing and collaborate closely with Texas Advanced Computing Center and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Vanden Bout said.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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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