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

The Rise of Ambient Computing: Integrating computing seamlessly into the environment through wearables, smart homes, and other technologies for a more natural and intuitive user experience. —Steve Andriole, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

There’s a cool upcoming chip that does AI super efficiently by mixing its memory and computing resources. —Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2024

Phiala Shanahan, a nuclear and particle physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, leads a team that computes the behavior of quarks and gluons starting from the equations of the strong force. —Quanta Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024

Both aim to dominate the twenty-first-century economy, which means gaining the upper hand in computing technologies, biotechnology, and clean energy. —Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024

Lauren Goode: Basically, Nvidia started to take over the computing world. —Lauren Goode, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024

Inside a computing college, there may be fewer critics around who can slow down bad ideas. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024

Other duties include utilizing computing resources in researching and leveraging appropriate data management solutions. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024

Tuesday night, OpenAI published several of Musk’s emails from the early days of the company that appear to show Musk acknowledging OpenAI needed to make a ton of money to fund the incredible computing resources needed to power its AI ambitions. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin computare — more at count

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing compute

• pre-compute

Kids Definition

compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt 

computed; computing

: to determine or calculate especially by mathematical means

also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer

computable

-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl

adjective

Etymology

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