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

Nvidia would supply computing hardware through the chip arrangement instead of directly funding construction. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

One of this week's most unusual developments saw Huang join six major Wall Street asset managers in endorsing the idea of making AI computing power a standalone asset class. — CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Because if the Protocol upends the REC market with precisely imprecise requirements almost no one is ready to meet, investors will be able to compute the hit to companies’ bottom line. — Mike Feibus, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Now researchers have found the first direct evidence of this in animals, showing that neurons’ many branches, called dendrites, can compute information independently of the cell body. — Ajdina Halilovic, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026

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