number cruncher

noun

1

: a computer that performs fast numerical calculations especially on large amounts of data

2

: a person concerned with numerical data (such as statistics)

number crunching noun

Examples of number cruncher in a Sentence

The number crunchers in Washington are expecting a budget surplus by the fall.

Recent Examples on the Web

The tastemakers gave way to the number crunchers, and now the number crunchers are sending the TV channels off to the vultures. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025

Census number crunchers estimate that builders constructed 18,000 new housing units in Collin last year, the fifth largest countywide supply increase in the country; in Texas, only Harris and Travis counties built more. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025

More records cascaded down as the number crunchers had a field day in updating the IPL log books. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

At the other end of the field, the same number crunchers say center-back Natan has tackled 87.5% of dribblers—joint best with Villarreal’s Logan Costa. —Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for number cruncher

• puncher

Kids Definition

number cruncher

noun

number crunch·​er

-ˈkrən-chər

1

: a computer that performs fast numerical calculations especially on large amounts of data

2

: a person concerned with complex numerical data

number crunching noun