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
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a way to stack high-performance silicon circuits directly on top of one another, a breakthrough that could help the semiconductor industry keep increasing computing power without shrinking transistors further.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The bank upgraded the cloud computing name to buy from hold.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 29 May 2026
In the first 20 days of May, exports rose nearly 65% year-on-year, led by computing equipment (up 305%), semiconductors (up 202%), and petroleum products (up 46%), easily offsetting a 10% drop in auto exports.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
At Variety, Bolies will be the publication’s lead reporter for AI, delivering news, analysis and features about the biggest players in the AI industry and about how Hollywood is adapting to the rise of the most significant advancement in computing technology in a generation.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The bank upgraded the cloud computing name to buy from hold.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 29 May 2026
In the first 20 days of May, exports rose nearly 65% year-on-year, led by computing equipment (up 305%), semiconductors (up 202%), and petroleum products (up 46%), easily offsetting a 10% drop in auto exports.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
At Variety, Bolies will be the publication’s lead reporter for AI, delivering news, analysis and features about the biggest players in the AI industry and about how Hollywood is adapting to the rise of the most significant advancement in computing technology in a generation.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 1 Jun. 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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