compute

[ kuhm-pyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, com·put·ed, com·put·ing.

1. to determine by calculation; reckon; calculate:

   These early astronomers computed the period of Jupiter's revolution.

   Synonyms: figure, count, estimate

2. to determine by using a computer or calculator.

verb (used without object)

, com·put·ed, com·put·ing.

1. to reckon; calculate.
2. to use a computer or calculator.
3. Informal. to make sense; add up:

   His reasons for doing that just don't compute.

noun

1. computation:

   Outer space is vast beyond compute.

2. the processing, memory, and storage resources required for a computer, network, or program to function:

   To meet today's business demands, you need a solid foundation of compute.

adjective

1. relating to or comprising the processing, memory, and storage resources required for a computer or program to function:

   The system uses intelligent load balancing so as to maximally utilize the available compute power.

compute

/ kəmˈpjuːt /

verb

1. to calculate (an answer, result, etc), often with the aid of a computer

noun

1. calculation; computation (esp in the phrase beyond compute )

Derived Forms

• comˈputable, adjective
• comˌputaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• com·put·a·ble adjective
• com·put·a·bil·i·ty [k, uh, m-pyoo-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• com·put·a·bly adverb
• com·put·ist [k, uh, m-, pyoo, -tist, kom, -py, oo, -], noun
• mis·com·pute verb miscomputed miscomputing
• pre·com·pute verb precomputed precomputing
• re·com·pute verb (used with object) recomputed recomputing
• un·com·put·a·ble adjective
• un·com·put·a·ble·ness noun
• un·com·put·a·bly adverb
• un·com·put·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compute¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, for an earlier sense; 1580–90 compute fordef 6; (for the verb) from Latin computāre, from com- com- + putāre “to think”; (for the noun) late Middle English from Middle French from Late Latin computus “calculation, number,” noun derivative of computāre; count ¹, putative

Word History and Origins

Origin of compute¹

C17: from Latin computāre, from putāre to think

Example Sentences

Positioning and navigation is obvious every time we open up a maps app, but timing is also a critical function of GPS — offering our smartphones and devices precision timing to ensure that compute processes are accurately synced.

From TechCrunch

“If it works right, and if you have enough compute power, then the AI application will give you the right answer in an overwhelming percentage of cases,” says Jockusch, whose business is building “digital twin” software of physical products.

From MIT Technology Review

One of the ones that gets me up on a daily basis recently is the developments around edge and edge compute and supporting these applications that are becoming more performance sensitive.

From MIT Technology Review

We use the exact same sensors, exact same compute infrastructures, simulation framework, the perception system carries over, very largely, even if we have to retrain some of the models.

From TechCrunch

There’s an information gap, a talent gap, and a compute gap.

From MIT Technology Review

From the dawn of supercomputing to the 2-in-1 PC, this is not so much a history of computers as it is the story of how we compute.

From The Daily Beast

This is hard to compute, considering that their personal wealth is not recent, nor were questions about it unexpected.

From The Daily Beast

The key thing is to be able to compute the exact origin of these signals: position and depth.

From The Daily Beast

The death toll for which Stalin must bear the blame is not easy to compute, but it cannot be less than twenty million.

From The Daily Beast

Terman and his assistant relied on biographical accounts of illustrious individuals to compute the scores.

From The Daily Beast

To tell how long it takes to cross th' Atlantic compute th' elapsed time fr'm boordin' house to boordin' house.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not doubt that they easily accomplished the return journey, for we cannot compute the distance they can cover in a day.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence we may compute that the shining or burning matter must be above three miles in diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

"If we compute in the timing in our blinker system at opposite sides of the orbit, I think we can do it," Arcot said.

From Project Gutenberg

When we have ascertained exactly how little will serve we shall be able to compute how long we shall be able to exist.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• figure out
• gauge