calculation
Americannoun
-
the act or process of calculating; computation.
-
the result or product of calculation.
His calculations agree with ours.
-
an estimate based on the known facts; forecast.
Her calculation of the building costs proved quite accurate.
-
forethought; prior or careful planning.
-
scheming selfishness.
noun
-
the act, process, or result of calculating
-
an estimation of probability; forecast
-
careful planning or forethought, esp for selfish motives
Synonym Usage
See prudence.
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Number and Operations in Base Ten
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Week 4: Now We Know
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The decision to have a child isn’t primarily a financial calculation, and a one-time payment doesn’t touch the conditions that make family formation feel out of reach.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
The Cleveland Fed’s median PCE inflation rate calculation External link, which ranks the components of PCE inflation and picks the one in the middle, measured 2.8% year over year in April.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
If you think writing out a math calculation with pen and paper is enough to create consciousness, you have far more faith in mathematics than I do.
From Slate • May 25, 2026
Over the past decade, lattice calculations have become increasingly powerful, but the precision needed for the muon g−2 calculation remained exceptionally difficult to achieve.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
A similar but more classic calculation of this type was made by Archimedes, who estimated the number of grains of sand needed to fill up the earth and heavens.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
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.
