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

From there, use a debt payoff calculator to model what aggressive monthly payments actually look like over eight months. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Various online calculators exist to determine your BMI. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026

How much more things cost now Something that cost $1,000 in March 2018 cost $1,323 in March of this year, according to the CPI calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

This week, the company unveiled the TI-84 Evo, its most powerful graphing calculator ever. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 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