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 TwainExamples 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
Additionally, patients’ out-of-pocket costs are often calculated based on percentages of list prices that are often substantially higher than net prices.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Related Stories Still, the conversion rate—calculated based on the number of site visits that result in a user purchasing something—is still 9 percent lower among consumers using generative AI, as compared with other sources of traffic.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2025
It’s calculated in the edit to create a sensation in your body.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
One is a longstanding dispute over how the Office of Personnel Management calculates the Postal Service's liabilities for pre-1970 pension benefits.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
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.
Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Related Stories Still, the conversion rate—calculated based on the number of site visits that result in a user purchasing something—is still 9 percent lower among consumers using generative AI, as compared with other sources of traffic.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2025
It’s calculated in the edit to create a sensation in your body.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
One is a longstanding dispute over how the Office of Personnel Management calculates the Postal Service's liabilities for pre-1970 pension benefits.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calculate
Cite this Entry
“Calculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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