calculate
verb
cal·cu·late
ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 
calculated; calculating
1
a
: to determine by mathematical processes
calculate the rate of acceleration
b
: to reckon by exercise of practical judgment : estimate
calculate the likelihood of success
c
: to solve or probe the meaning of : figure out
… trying to calculate his expression.—
Hugh MacLennan
Hugh MacLennan2
: to design or adapt for a purpose
He carefully calculated the timing of his arrival for maximum impact.
3
a
: to judge to be true or probable
b
: intend
I calculate to do it or perish in the attempt.—Mark Twain
Mark TwainExamples of calculate in a Sentence
calculate the volume of a cylinder
I need to calculate how long it will take me to drive to Chicago.
We calculated the cost of new carpeting for the whole house.
We need to calculate our chances of success before we invest more money in the business.
Recent Examples on the Web
The authors then calculated the odds of drug overdose for residents of Orange County, residents of other California counties, and residents of other states.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
5 July 2026
After claims come in, the settlement administrator will calculate payments from the available settlement fund.
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Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
To explain what extreme heat feels like to the human body, meteorologists calculate a value of actual temperature combined with humidity.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
As with any heat metric, calculating the heat index involves making some assumptions about the person and the conditions around them.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for calculate
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Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
5 July 2026
After claims come in, the settlement administrator will calculate payments from the available settlement fund.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
To explain what extreme heat feels like to the human body, meteorologists calculate a value of actual temperature combined with humidity.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
As with any heat metric, calculating the heat index involves making some assumptions about the person and the conditions around them.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for calculate
Cite this Entry
“Calculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calculate
verb
cal·cu·late
ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt
calculated; calculating
1
: to find by performing mathematical operations (as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) : compute
calculate the average
2
: estimate entry 1 sense 1
calculate the risk of losing
3
: to plan by careful thought
a program calculated to succeed
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