calculation
Americannoun
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the act or process of calculating; computation.
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the result or product of calculation.
His calculations agree with ours.
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an estimate based on the known facts; forecast.
Her calculation of the building costs proved quite accurate.
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forethought; prior or careful planning.
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scheming selfishness.
noun
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the act, process, or result of calculating
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an estimation of probability; forecast
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careful planning or forethought, esp for selfish motives
Related Words
See prudence.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of calculation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin calculātiōn- (stem of calculātiō “reckoning”). See calculate, -ion
Explanation
Calculation is the act of calculating, which is using math or logic to figure out a problem. If your calculation is correct, then you can wear you sister’s favorite dress and put it back before she gets home. A calculation is a careful, thought-out activity. The first kind of calculation involves figuring out the answer to a problem in math — the kind you might use a calculator for. Calculation also refers to using logic to figure out a non-numerical problem. If you have a difficult decision to make — like deciding what college to attend — calculation is your friend. That kind of calculation is to thoroughly think something through and make plans.
Vocabulary lists containing calculation
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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Number and Operations in Base Ten
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Week 4: Now We Know
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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.
"The prediction combines electromagnetic, weak and strong forces, that each require vastly different theoretical tools, into a single calculation that's accurate to parts per billion," Fodor said.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
The government has committed to conducting a review into the CMS' calculation model and said it was considering the report's recommendations as part of an ongoing review.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
So by that calculation, the federal government’s obligations are about 400% of GDP.
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
Part of the calculation is the cost of the distraction, Yancey said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
Rutherford and Chadwick stated flatly that they had not found Lawrence’s suspiciously light neutrons in any of their bombardments and saw no reason to revise their calculation of the neutron’s weight to conform to Lawrence’s.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
