calculator

American  

[kal-kyuh-ley-ter] / ˈkæl kjəˌleɪ tər /

noun

• calculators
  plural

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.

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calculator British  

/ 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

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calculator Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• minicalculator
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• calculators
  plural

Etymology

Origin of calculator

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

calculator calculators

They used a risk calculator called Boadicea that combines factors such as family history, lifestyle, reproductive history and genetic information to give a risk score.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Agbaje also reports that his research team has released a freely accessible WHtR calculator designed to help detect excess fat in children and adolescents.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

Almost every financial calculator you will use will also want this information, too.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

Grab your calculator and take our business of sports test.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

We’re in our room, and he’s punching numbers into a graphing calculator with a clicking sound that’s driving me nuts.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

In 2022, TI reported that it had sold more than 90 million graphing calculators since 1990.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

Several breast cancer risk calculators like Boadicea already exist and none are perfect.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Electronic calculators, for instance, may have helped users solve equations -- but left the method and reasoning process in human hands.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

Many banks and investment firms offer online retirement calculators.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 2026

The women mathematicians dominated their mechanical calculators the same way the test pilots dominated their mechanical planes.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly