compute
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to reckon; calculate.
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to use a computer or calculator.
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Informal. to make sense; add up.
His reasons for doing that just don't compute.
noun
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Outer space is vast beyond compute.
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the processing, memory, and storage resources required for a computer, network, or program to function.
To meet today's business demands, you need a solid foundation of compute.
adjective
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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computablyadverb
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uncomputablyadverb
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uncomputableadjective
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uncomputablenessnoun
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uncomputedadjective
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computableadjective
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precomputeverb
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computistnoun
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computabilitynoun
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miscomputeverb
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recomputeverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has computedperfect 3rd person singular
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have computedperfect
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computingparticiple
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are computingprogressive
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have been computingperfect progressive
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computessingular 3rd person
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has been computingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is computingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am computingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
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had computedperfect
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computedsimple
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had been computingperfect progressive
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computedparticiple
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were computingprogressive plural
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was computingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of compute
First recorded in 1375–1425, for an earlier sense; 1580–90 compute for def. 6; (for the verb) from Latin computāre, from com- com- + putāre “to think”; (for the noun) late Middle English from Middle French from Late Latin computus “calculation, number,” noun derivative of computāre; cf. count 1, putative
Explanation
When you solve a mathematical problem, you compute the answer. To compute is to calculate, either literally or figuratively. Computers do the math for you, faster than humans ever can. You'll often hear someone say that something "does not compute." This means it doesn't add up, it doesn't make sense. You might compute how long it will take you to get to school or the likelihood that your mother will let you stay out late.
Vocabulary lists containing compute
Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 4
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The Number System
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Number and Operations: Fractions
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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.
“As AI workloads continue to scale and drive unprecedented demand for compute, power delivery has become one of the most critical challenges in enabling next-generation gigawatt AI factories,” said CEO Chris Allexandre in the statement.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
The move comes after reporting second-quarter earnings that blew past Wall Street expectations, citing rampant compute demand from customers transitioning to artificial-intelligence tools.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
“Phones, PCs, vehicles, factories, robots, cameras, sensors and connected devices all need efficient, secure compute with software that scales. These AI workloads will all run on Arm.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
“It just doesn’t compute for the GCC,” said Maksad, who visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the U.A.E. in May.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
The praetor glanced over, her dark eyebrows furrowed, as if join us didn’t quite compute.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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.
