computed; computing
: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
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
Chuck FinderExamples of compute in a Sentence
for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
Caterpillar said its autonomous systems rely on AI, machine learning, computer vision, and edge computing to process sensor data in real time.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Amazon This week’s first pick is e-commerce and cloud computing giant Amazon (AMZN).
—Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026
The Topix's gain was helped by the world's best-performing stock last year, a memory supplier called Kioxia, which surged 540%, just one sign of the AI boom's insatiable appetite for computing power.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 2 Jan. 2026
Both requirements work against packing more and more connections into a smaller space to scale up computing.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Amazon This week’s first pick is e-commerce and cloud computing giant Amazon (AMZN).
—Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026
The Topix's gain was helped by the world's best-performing stock last year, a memory supplier called Kioxia, which surged 540%, just one sign of the AI boom's insatiable appetite for computing power.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 2 Jan. 2026
Both requirements work against packing more and more connections into a smaller space to scale up computing.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
Etymology
from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1
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