tabulate

1 of 2

verb

tab·​u·​late ˈta-byə-ˌlāt 

tabulated; tabulating

transitive verb

1

: to count, record, or list systematically

2

: to put into tabular form

tabulation

ˌta-byə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

tabulator

ˈta-byə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

tabulator

2 of 2

noun

tab·​u·​lator ˈtabyəˌlātə(r) 

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that tabulates: such as

a

: a typist or clerk who makes tabulations

b

: a business machine for tabulating data

especially : one that sorts and selects information from a series of marked or perforated cards fed into it compare punch card

c

: a device on an office machine (such as a typewriter or biller) having stops that can be set for tabular work

Examples of tabulate in a Sentence

Verb

A machine is used to tabulate the votes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2024, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons tabulated almost fifty thousand Botox and filler procedures for patients under age nineteen. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

As part of the settlement, Lively received zero compensation, but a judge ordered Baldoni to pay the actress’ legal fees, which tabulated to $8 million. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2026

California law allows cities to tabulate mail-in ballots received as long as seven days after the election, as long as they are postmarked by election day. — City News Service, Daily News, 8 July 2026

Angela George The recount board is sticking around after business hours for now to tabulate ballots that needed to be duplicated after the voting machine could not read or decipher the ballot. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Latin tabula tablet

First Known Use

Verb

1734, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tabulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

tabulate

verb

tab·​u·​late ˈtab-yə-ˌlāt 

tabulated; tabulating

: to count and record in an orderly way

tabulate votes

tabulation

ˌtab-yə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

tabulator

ˈtab-yə-ˌlāt-ər 

noun