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
The researchers also calculated how much each company's pollution contributed to the five hottest days of the year using 80 more computer simulations and then applying a formula that connects extreme heat intensity to changes in economic output.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
The Peterson Institute for International Economics calculated that tariffs could, at most, replace 40% of income tax revenues, but even that would require high tariffs that are likely to drive a recession, according to Clausing.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
But the time elapsed between the two events was much too short for Galileo to calculate.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The Star-Studded Name Findings Little Sleepers tracked the top 100 names for boys and girls after a character debuted on screen from 1960 to 2023 by calculating the percentage increase in name usage from the year before the character appeared vs. the year after.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calculate
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CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
The Peterson Institute for International Economics calculated that tariffs could, at most, replace 40% of income tax revenues, but even that would require high tariffs that are likely to drive a recession, according to Clausing.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
But the time elapsed between the two events was much too short for Galileo to calculate.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The Star-Studded Name Findings Little Sleepers tracked the top 100 names for boys and girls after a character debuted on screen from 1960 to 2023 by calculating the percentage increase in name usage from the year before the character appeared vs. the year after.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 22 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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
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