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 of compute

• 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

China has many advantages in the AI race and the disparity in computing resources stands out as almost certainly the largest single advantage that the United States enjoys over China. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Google and other large companies have claimed to have achieved the quantum computing milestone, only for rivals to dispute their definition of quantum supremacy. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

In addition to its AI model capabilities, Google can leverage its advantages in AI and with its Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips to accelerate its cloud computing market share and profitability, Wlodarczak said. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2025

Traditional weather models -- like the European Model and the American Global Forecast system that the NHC regularly uses -- rely on complex simulations that use atmospheric and physics-based equations, which require significant time and computing power to run. —ABC News, 6 Dec. 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