calculator

American  

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

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.

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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

• minicalculator noun

Etymology

Origin of calculator

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

Example Sentences

The company used the MIT living wage calculator to determine cost of living by region for single adults and families of four.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

The students, most of them juniors and seniors, put their total cost of the college, minus any scholarships or tuition discounts, into a student-loan payment calculator and set it to a 6% interest rate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

You can calculate the estimated minimum annual child-support obligation using this child-support calculator on the New York City Human Resources Administration website.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

The calculator asked people to enter financial details, including their income, savings, benefits and expenditure, and no details were saved, bosses said.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

"I'm afraid I don't know how else to explain it. I've always said to myself that if a little pocket calculator can do it why shouldn't I?"

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl