calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 

calculated; calculating

transitive verb

1

a

: to determine by mathematical processes

calculate the rate of acceleration

b

: to reckon by exercise of practical judgment : estimate

calculate the likelihood of success

c

: to solve or probe the meaning of : figure out

… trying to calculate his expression.

—Hugh MacLennan

2

: to design or adapt for a purpose

He carefully calculated the timing of his arrival for maximum impact.

3

a

: to judge to be true or probable

b

: intend

I calculate to do it or perish in the attempt.

—Mark Twain

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a calculation

b

: to forecast consequences

2

: count, rely

Synonyms of calculate

• compute
• figure
• estimate
• assess
• measure

Examples of calculate in a Sentence

calculate the volume of a cylinder

I need to calculate how long it will take me to drive to Chicago.

We calculated the cost of new carpeting for the whole house.

We need to calculate our chances of success before we invest more money in the business.

Recent Examples on the Web

Or like in 1985, when Microsoft banished the idea of a spreadsheet as paper that required an accountant to calculate every value by hand. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2026

The association also argued that calculating risk based on hypothetical annual consumption levels could create unnecessary alarm and confusion. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026

The Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida uses a method different from the Census Bureau’s to calculate growth — electrical customer data, said research demographer Richard Doty. —Mike Schneider, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026

Due to certain inflation adjustments in how Social Security is calculated and how past earnings are adjusted for inflation, the maximum benefit rose to $5,251 per month, totaling over $63,000 annually in 2026. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin calculātus, past participle of calculāre "to count, reckon, compute," derivative of Latin calculus "pebble, pebble used for calculating on a counting board, method or result of calculation" — more at calculus

Note: The verb may already have existed in Latin, to judge by the derivative calculātor—see calculator.

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for calculate

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

Kids Definition

calculate

verb

cal·​cu·​late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 

calculated; calculating

1

: to find by performing mathematical operations (as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) : compute

calculate the average

2

: estimate entry 1 sense 1

calculate the risk of losing

3

: to plan by careful thought

a program calculated to succeed

Etymology

from Latin calculatus "calculate," derived from calculus "pebble (used in counting)," from calc-, calx "stone used in gambling, lime" — related to calcium, chalk