computation

[ kom-pyoo-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act, process, or method of computing; compute; calculation.
2. a result of computing. compute.
3. the amount computed.

computation

/ ˌkɒmpjʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a calculation involving numbers or quantities

Derived Forms

• ˌcompuˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• compu·tation·al adjective
• compu·tative adjective
• compu·tative·ly adverb
• miscom·pu·tation noun
• noncom·pu·tation noun
• recom·pu·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of computation¹

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

Example Sentences

Over the last few years, they’ve explored the use of neural networks — layers of computations that help machines process information through a rough approximation of our brain’s neuronal activity.

From Quanta Magazine

“It’s hard to predict when a problem will be reduced to a huge but finite computation,” Aaronson said.

From Quanta Magazine

Finally, after just half an hour of computations, they had an answer.

From Quanta Magazine

Our brains are really good at this—we copy computations inside the brains of others.

From Singularity Hub 

They can also deliver drugs or act as a biological “circuit board” on which biomolecules perform traditional computations.

From Singularity Hub 

Some of the pre-eminent innovators at the intersection of art and coding are based at the Aesthetics and Computation Group at MIT.

From The Daily Beast

One of the keys to brain research is better computation and better storage systems.

From The Daily Beast

Falling behind in computing could mean falling behind in fields that rely on computation to get an edge on rivals.

From The Daily Beast

Why should you, the human being, have to do the mathematical drudgework of doing this kind of computation?

From The Daily Beast

Fetching pen and paper, the blacksmith made a rapid computation of what would be due Oliver at any time within the next month.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a computation does not include the large number of stories read in our papers and magazines.

From Project Gutenberg

I believe, at the lowest computation, three hundred and fifty were left dead on the field.

From Project Gutenberg

The most careful computation showed they were in latitude about 19 south and longitude 140 west.

From Project Gutenberg

So far as they affect character, the loss they cause may be beyond computation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calculation
• computing