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

The Facebook and Instagram company has already been ramping up spending to build the enormous computing infrastructure needed to support its AI ambitions. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Memory chips, also called DRAM, are used to temporarily hold data in most computing devices, including laptops and smartphones. — Srikanth Jagabathula, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Additional safeguards can slow their work and require more computing resources, creating tension between safety and performance. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Those price signals could allow AI buyers and sellers to trade efficiently and help compute suppliers plan their investments. — Silvia Console Battilana, Forbes.com, 21 July 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