compute

[kuhm-pyoot]

verb (used with object)

computed, computing 

1. to determine by calculation; reckon; calculate.

   These early astronomers computed the period of Jupiter's revolution.

   Synonyms: figure, count, estimate

2. to determine by using a computer or calculator.

verb (used without object)

computed, computing 

1. to reckon; calculate.

2. to use a computer or calculator.

3. Informal.,  to make sense; add up.

   His reasons for doing that just don't compute.

noun

1. computation.

   Outer space is vast beyond compute.

2. 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

1. relating to or comprising the processing, memory, and storage resources required for a computer or program to function.

   The system uses intelligent load balancing so as to maximally utilize the available compute power.

compute

/ kəmˈpjuːt /

verb

1. to calculate (an answer, result, etc), often with the aid of a computer

noun

1. calculation; computation (esp in the phrase beyond compute )

Other Word Forms

• computable adjective
• computability noun
• computably adverb
• computist noun
• miscompute verb
• precompute verb
• recompute verb (used with object)
• uncomputable adjective
• uncomputableness noun
• uncomputably adverb
• uncomputed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compute¹

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; count ¹, putative

Word History and Origins

Origin of compute¹

C17: from Latin computāre, from putāre to think

Example Sentences

While growth has been robust, Cursor has faced high costs for computing firepower and AI model access operated by OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Quantum computing is often described as a future technology capable of handling problems that traditional computers cannot touch.

Read more on Science Daily

“This is going to expand the market of computing into the world of design and engineering for the very first time,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in an interview with CNBC.

Read more on Barron's

In October, Anthropic said it plans to use up to 1 million of Google’s TPUs as it seeks to scale up computing — an issue also plaguing OpenAI as AI models become larger and more advanced.

Read more on MarketWatch

The firm identified a problem with the aircraft's computing software which calculates a plane's elevation, and found that at high altitudes, data could be corrupted by intense radiation released periodically by the Sun.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• figure out 
• gauge