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
WalletHub found the cost of secondhand smoke exposure in New York, then calculated the expenses in other states according to their numbers of smokers and nonsmokers.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
The fund isn’t intended to be used for routine classroom costs, like basic materials and supplies, and should be calculated to include any Medicaid reimbursements, according to the bill.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
In 2010, Zurek and his collaborator Jess Riedel calculated that within a microsecond, photons from the sun will imprint the location of a grain of dust about 10 million times.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
The key to calculating the amount of energy blasted out is realizing that the mass of a merger’s resulting black hole is not simply the sum of its progenitors.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calculate
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Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
The fund isn’t intended to be used for routine classroom costs, like basic materials and supplies, and should be calculated to include any Medicaid reimbursements, according to the bill.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
In 2010, Zurek and his collaborator Jess Riedel calculated that within a microsecond, photons from the sun will imprint the location of a grain of dust about 10 million times.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
The key to calculating the amount of energy blasted out is realizing that the mass of a merger’s resulting black hole is not simply the sum of its progenitors.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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