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 team computed 500 spectral points across the observed wavelength band, applying the transmission profile of the real interference filter and blurring the result to match the real telescope’s resolution. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Building a competitive foundation model requires a scale of data and compute that even large enterprises with billions of records rarely have. — Neda Nia, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Akamai Technologies — The cloud computing stock traded 5% lower on the session after revenue guidance disappointed Wall Street. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

By one estimate, labs already use more computing power on experiments than anything else. — Harry Booth, Time, 7 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