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

Future benefit payments will not include the six months of earnings that would otherwise be used to compute future earnings. —Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

In 2024, DeepMind researchers won a share of the Nobel Prize in chemistry for advances in computing protein structures. —Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 22 May 2026

IonQ was one of the quantum computing companies that wasn't part of the Thursday announcement, but its stock still jumped more than 12% on the news. —Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 May 2026

The acquisition gave SoftBank a foothold in chip architecture, a critical layer of the computing supply chain. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 May 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