computed; computing
: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
1
: to make calculation : reckon
They compute by weight in selling grain.
2
: to use a computer
3
informal
: to make sense
No matter how you do the math, it will not work … . It simply does not compute.—
Chuck Finder
Chuck FinderExamples of compute in a Sentence
for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
The companies that adapt—consolidating computing resources, shifting to inference, and refining their deployment strategies—will emerge stronger.
—Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The chip’s central processing unit, or CPU, has 10 cores — a measure of computing power — up from eight in the M3 MacBook Air.
—Bloomberg News, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Programs such as the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource, which aims to provide American AI researchers with access to chips and data sets, should also be expanded, leveraging computing resources from the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and national research labs.
—Jared Dunnmon, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2025
That includes whether to uphold another Biden-era policy that aims to prevent sophisticated AI from falling into the wrong hands by imposing controls on certain computing chips and AI models.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
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Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The chip’s central processing unit, or CPU, has 10 cores — a measure of computing power — up from eight in the M3 MacBook Air.
—Bloomberg News, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Programs such as the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource, which aims to provide American AI researchers with access to chips and data sets, should also be expanded, leveraging computing resources from the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and national research labs.
—Jared Dunnmon, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2025
That includes whether to uphold another Biden-era policy that aims to prevent sophisticated AI from falling into the wrong hands by imposing controls on certain computing chips and AI models.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
Articles Related to compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compute
verb
com·pute
kəm-ˈpyüt 
computed; computing
1
: to determine or calculate especially by mathematical means
also
: to determine or calculate by means of a computer
2
informal
: to make sense
computable
adjective
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
Etymology
from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1
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