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

The Commerce Department denied reports of negotiating equity stakes with quantum computing companies..

Read more on Barron's

Quantum potentially represents a major advance in computing, Quantum computers have “qubits” which can have multiple states, and they can process data much faster than normal binary-based computers as a result.

Read more on Barron's

Alibaba said earlier this year that it would invest at least 380 billion yuan in cloud computing and AI over the next three years.

Read more on Barron's

Many experts said the outage showed how reliant tech is on Amazon's dominance in the cloud computing sector, as a market largely cornered by AWS and Microsoft Azure.

Read more on BBC

Some Amazon-watchers have conjectured that the glitch may be connected to mass layoffs the company implemented in the summer in its cloud computing unit, with the jobs purportedly replaced by artificial intelligence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• figure out 
• gauge