calculator

[kal-kyuh-ley-ter]

noun

1. a person who calculates or computes.

2. Also called calculating machine. a small electronic or mechanical device that performs calculations, requiring manual action for each individual operation.

3. a person who operates such a machine.

4. a set of tables that facilitates calculation.

calculator

/ ˈkælkjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a device for performing mathematical calculations, esp an electronic device that can be held in the hand

2. a person or thing that calculates

3. a set of tables used as an aid to calculations

calculator

1. An electronic device for performing automatic mathematical computations, usually controlled by a keyboard. Some are actually small computers, with limited memory, that allow the user to use simple programs.

Other Word Forms

• minicalculator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of calculator¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin; calculate, -tor

Example Sentences

What I could do with my financial knowledge was plug her savings balance into a simple spend-down calculator, to see how long her money would last at her current burn rate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As soon as the final results are in, the calculators will be out to see what combination of the many competing parties can get to that number.

Read more on Barron's

The Social Security Administration has numerous calculators to help you see what your benefit would be at various claiming ages.

Read more on MarketWatch

To make the process easier to use, the team has also launched an online calculator that helps both clinicians and patients interpret ankle-based results.

Read more on Science Daily

The SSA has an earnings test calculator to help determine the impact of earnings on benefits.

Read more on MarketWatch