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
But only organizations with a strong advantage in computing power, advanced algorithms or massive datasets will dominate AI infrastructure.
—Brandon Wang, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
But that can be ignored, because the USTR has set ε at 4 and φ at 0.25, so when computed give an overall multiplier of 1 for the imports number.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.
computing
physics
1 free article left
Want More?
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
The company, which rents computing power to the artificial intelligence industry, shrank its I.P.O. far below initial expectations before Friday’s anticipated trading debut.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compute
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brandon Wang, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
But that can be ignored, because the USTR has set ε at 4 and φ at 0.25, so when computed give an overall multiplier of 1 for the imports number.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.
computing
physics
1 free article left
Want More?
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
The company, which rents computing power to the artificial intelligence industry, shrank its I.P.O. far below initial expectations before Friday’s anticipated trading debut.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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 16 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share