calculate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to determine or ascertain by mathematical methods; compute.
to calculate the velocity of light.
-
to determine by reasoning, common sense, or practical experience; estimate; evaluate; gauge.
-
to make suitable or fit for a purpose; adapt (usually used passively and with an infinitive).
His remarks were calculated to inspire our confidence.
-
Chiefly Northern U.S.
-
to think; guess.
-
to intend; plan.
-
verb (used without object)
-
to make a computation or form an estimate.
-
to count or rely (usually followed by on orupon ).
They calculated on good weather.
verb
-
to solve (one or more problems) by a mathematical procedure; compute
-
(tr; may take a clause as object) to determine beforehand by judgment, reasoning, etc; estimate
-
(tr; usually passive) to design specifically; aim
the car was calculated to appeal to women
-
(intr; foll by on or upon) to depend; rely
-
dialect (tr; may take a clause as object)
-
to suppose; think
-
to intend (to do something)
-
Other Word Forms
- calculative adjective
- precalculate verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of calculate
First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin calculātus “reckoned,” past participle of calculāre “to reckon,” derivative of calculus “pebble”; calculus
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.
A closely watched measure called the control group—which strips out autos, gasoline, building materials, and restaurant meals and is used to calculate gross domestic product—rose 0.5%, well above the 0.3% economists had expected.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
Researchers used this data to calculate both total activity and the share that was intense enough to cause breathlessness.
From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026
It’s the same tool that insurance actuaries use to calculate life expectancy, adapted to estimate how long a typical player might expect to play in the WNBA.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
This is because, says the MHRA, data for Ropinirole is only based on individual case reports and so can't be used to calculate overall likelihood.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
She said it pushed her brain to calculate faster.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
