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

Tap on the calculator icon in the top right corner. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Vanguard has a Portfolio Watch tool and a variety of performance illustrations, tools, and calculators. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

What the calculator doesn’t include In addition to tickets, flights and hotels, fans will need a route to the stadium on gameday. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 June 2026

To compare a more complete list of the costs for Higuera's 2016 Jeep and his 2025 Chevy EV, NPR cars and energy correspondent Camila Domonoske chose a federal Energy Department calculator. —Jeff Brady, NPR, 1 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