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

Similar to a calculator, AI becomes a tool that can accelerate and augment reasoning but does not replace learning or critical thought. —Ravi Kumar S, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026

The Environmental Protection Agency, The Nature Conservancy, and The World Wildlife Fund all created easy-to-use carbon footprint calculators. —Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026

There are no coupons in the transactional world of college athletics now and the Knights, like many schools, had a finite amount of money to work with, making talent evaluation perhaps the biggest asset next to a calculator. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026

In Hawaii, a working parent needs to earn at least $102,773 a year to support themself, a non-working partner and a child, according to a recent SmartAsset analysis of Massachusetts Institute of Technology living wage calculator data. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 15 Jan. 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