calculator

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tor ˈkal-kyə-ˌlā-tər 

: one that calculates: such as

a

: a usually electronic device for performing mathematical calculations

b

: a person who operates a calculator

Examples of calculator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By building circuits whose states naturally fluctuate with this environmental heat, thermodynamic computing turns an otherwise stochastic and chaotic feature of nature into an incredibly fast, ultra-low-energy calculator. —Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026

Use our calculator to estimate your additional expenses at the pump since the start of the war in Iran. —Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 20 June 2026

Closer to Hollywood’s home, Los Angeles’ Department of Economic Opportunity has taken out its own calculator and started running the numbers. —Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026

Use an online student loan calculator to plug in your term and interest rate to see what that means for a monthly payment. —Evan Zimmer, CNBC, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calkelatour "one who counts or computes, mathematician," borrowed from Latin calculātōr-, calculātor "teacher of arithmetic," from calculā- (attested in Late Latin as the stem of calculāre "to count, calculate") + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing calculator

• pocket calculator

Rhymes for calculator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

calculator

noun

cal·​cu·​la·​tor ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt-ər 

1

: one that calculates

2

: a usually small electronic device for making mathematical calculations