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 system that would have calculated Brown’s risk score — or any defendant’s score — is not readily available to the public, but the Observer found a breakdown of the general formula through the foundation that helped develop Mecklenburg’s policies.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
Goldman Sachs has calculated that a bubble popping could wipe out up to 20% of the S&P 500’s valuation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Simple arithmetic such as 355/113 could be calculated in place by selecting the text and pressing USE FRONT-CALC (Control-G), which yields the answer with a dotted underline to indicate the result of a computation.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The toll on families cannot be calculated.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calculate
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Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
Goldman Sachs has calculated that a bubble popping could wipe out up to 20% of the S&P 500’s valuation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Simple arithmetic such as 355/113 could be calculated in place by selecting the text and pressing USE FRONT-CALC (Control-G), which yields the answer with a dotted underline to indicate the result of a computation.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The toll on families cannot be calculated.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 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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