calculation
Americannoun
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the act or process of calculating; computation.
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the result or product of calculation.
His calculations agree with ours.
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an estimate based on the known facts; forecast.
Her calculation of the building costs proved quite accurate.
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forethought; prior or careful planning.
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scheming selfishness.
noun
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the act, process, or result of calculating
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an estimation of probability; forecast
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careful planning or forethought, esp for selfish motives
Related Words
See prudence.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of calculation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin calculātiōn- (stem of calculātiō “reckoning”). See calculate, -ion
Explanation
Calculation is the act of calculating, which is using math or logic to figure out a problem. If your calculation is correct, then you can wear you sister’s favorite dress and put it back before she gets home. A calculation is a careful, thought-out activity. The first kind of calculation involves figuring out the answer to a problem in math — the kind you might use a calculator for. Calculation also refers to using logic to figure out a non-numerical problem. If you have a difficult decision to make — like deciding what college to attend — calculation is your friend. That kind of calculation is to thoroughly think something through and make plans.
Vocabulary lists containing calculation
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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Number and Operations in Base Ten
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Week 4: Now We Know
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“On the Calculation of Volume,” Danish author Solvej Balle’s seven-volume opus, follows an antiquarian bookseller who gets stuck reliving the same mid-November day over and over again.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025
"This interdisciplinary approach is not just beneficial but essential for addressing the many complex challenges that lie ahead," suggests Charles Martin, Principal Consultant at Calculation Consulting, who coauthored the article.
From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024
Calculation and planning only got Mitchell so far though.
From BBC • Oct. 27, 2022
Calculation errors would happen intermittently and were difficult to reproduce, according to their report.
From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2022
Tables for Facilitating the Calculation of every Detail in connection with Earthen and Masonry Dams.
From Dante Six Sermons by Wicksteed, Philip H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
