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
Some furloughed employees at the Labor Department were brought back to work, in order to complete the September inflation report, which is a key ingredient used to calculate the cost of living adjustment that Social Security recipients will receive next year.
—The Npr Network, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
These payments are in part calculated by work history and income but also are adjusted every year based on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W).
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
But employers are still calculating employee withholdings, or how much federal income tax to deduct from an employee's paycheck, using the higher rates despite the law's passage in July.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The fresh reading marked the final piece of data necessary for SSA to calculate COLA for 2026.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calculate
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The Npr Network, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
These payments are in part calculated by work history and income but also are adjusted every year based on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W).
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
But employers are still calculating employee withholdings, or how much federal income tax to deduct from an employee's paycheck, using the higher rates despite the law's passage in July.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The fresh reading marked the final piece of data necessary for SSA to calculate COLA for 2026.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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