calculate
verb
cal·cu·late
ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 
calculated; calculating
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
Hugh MacLennan2
: 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
Mark Twain
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
The losses are calculated based on the numbers of fish that are collected — scooped from the water in a bucket-like device at the state facility — then transported by truck and released into the delta nearby.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
The map changed because of how Irwin and others have calculated the size of the Sun, which might be slightly larger than what scientists thought.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Apr. 2024
Rather than calculating the exact moment that the eclipse begins and ends for thousands of locations, our simulation uses these coordinates to create a realtime 3D simulation with the same type of computer programming that is common in video games.
—Chris Wilson, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
Some devices, such as Apple or Garmin watches or other fitness trackers, will also calculate your max heart rates (and thus your zones) based on performance data from your exercise sessions.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 6 Apr. 2024
In addition to transactions, price increases for luxury homes were also calculated in Pacaso’s study.
—Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In short, the map changed because of how Irwin and others have calculated the size of the Sun, which might be slightly larger than what scientists thought.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The report tracked the impacts of climate policies on state transportation funding by calculating revenue losses based on the Air Resources Board 2022 scoping plan, which set a sweeping policy framework to achieve decarbonization across polluting sectors.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024
Because of a long-ago false theory about differences in creatinine levels, many lab reports until recently often would list two results - one calculated for non-Black patients and another for Black patients that could overestimate kidney function by as much as 16%.
—CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
The map changed because of how Irwin and others have calculated the size of the Sun, which might be slightly larger than what scientists thought.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Apr. 2024
Rather than calculating the exact moment that the eclipse begins and ends for thousands of locations, our simulation uses these coordinates to create a realtime 3D simulation with the same type of computer programming that is common in video games.
—Chris Wilson, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
Some devices, such as Apple or Garmin watches or other fitness trackers, will also calculate your max heart rates (and thus your zones) based on performance data from your exercise sessions.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 6 Apr. 2024
In addition to transactions, price increases for luxury homes were also calculated in Pacaso’s study.
—Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
In short, the map changed because of how Irwin and others have calculated the size of the Sun, which might be slightly larger than what scientists thought.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The report tracked the impacts of climate policies on state transportation funding by calculating revenue losses based on the Air Resources Board 2022 scoping plan, which set a sweeping policy framework to achieve decarbonization across polluting sectors.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024
Because of a long-ago false theory about differences in creatinine levels, many lab reports until recently often would list two results - one calculated for non-Black patients and another for Black patients that could overestimate kidney function by as much as 16%.
—CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calculate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near calculate
Cite this Entry
“Calculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share