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 management fee is calculated as a percentage of the total net assets of UNG.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
As technology improved, scientists were better able to calculate Pluto’s mass, which prompted some astrophysicists to argue Pluto was not Planet X.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
The results are calculated based on the total number of ballots cast, not those voting on the question, meaning those who leave it blank effectively count as a no.
—Torey Van Oot, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Vote totals typically take longer to calculate in more densely populated urban areas that favor Democrats, as opposed to smaller rural precincts that lean Republican, which can also skew early results.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calculate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
As technology improved, scientists were better able to calculate Pluto’s mass, which prompted some astrophysicists to argue Pluto was not Planet X.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
The results are calculated based on the total number of ballots cast, not those voting on the question, meaning those who leave it blank effectively count as a no.
—Torey Van Oot, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Vote totals typically take longer to calculate in more densely populated urban areas that favor Democrats, as opposed to smaller rural precincts that lean Republican, which can also skew early results.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calculate
Dictionary Entries Near calculate
Cite this Entry
“Calculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculate. Accessed 22 Nov. 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