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
Models efficient enough to run offline and without the need for computing in the cloud have gained steam in the AI community in recent years.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Meanwhile, another side was full of PC monitors and prebuilt desktops and laptops, giving consumers a wide range of computing options.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025
Coaches have stressed the need to manage in-game situations better by relying less on speed and instincts and instead learning to compute what’s happening around him when making decisions with the puck.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The cloud computing stock declined more than 6% after the company’s second-quarter earnings outlook missed analyst estimates.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 29 May 2025
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Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Meanwhile, another side was full of PC monitors and prebuilt desktops and laptops, giving consumers a wide range of computing options.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025
Coaches have stressed the need to manage in-game situations better by relying less on speed and instincts and instead learning to compute what’s happening around him when making decisions with the puck.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The cloud computing stock declined more than 6% after the company’s second-quarter earnings outlook missed analyst estimates.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 3 Jun. 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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