noun
Other Word Forms
- computational adjective
- computative adjective
- computatively adverb
- miscomputation noun
- noncomputation noun
- recomputation noun
Etymology
Origin of computation
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin computātiōn-, stem of computātiō, from computāt(us) “reckoned” (past participle of computāre “to reckon, sum up”; compute ) + -iō -ion
Explanation
Computation is what you do when you calculate something, like a simple math problem or something involving quantum mechanics or — worse — even your taxes. People have invented all kinds of machines to help with computation, from the abacus to the computer, and, in fact, when computers were first invented (and when one computer could easily fill a large room), using a computer was called computation. Much of what made computers so revolutionary was that in a relatively short time they could do a complex mathematical computation that would take a human many lifetimes to do.
Vocabulary lists containing computation
"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
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Expressions and Equations
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Henry David Thoreau "Civil Disobedience" (1849)
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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.
If computers can replicate many aspects of reasoning, language and decision-making without exhibiting clear signs of awareness, that fact alone may reveal that consciousness is something more than computation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
"Diseases of the brain could be diseases of computation," Aimone said.
From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026
While some researchers believe consciousness might arise through computation alone, others argue that biological factors play an essential role.
From Science Daily • Feb. 1, 2026
It could have a significant impact on the cost of computation.
From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026
When Dorothy and the other West Computers signed up for computation classes in the 1950s, they registered to attend at Hampton Institute.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
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.
