computed; computing
: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
1
: to make calculation : reckon
They compute by weight in selling grain.
2
: to use a computer
3
informal
: to make sense
No matter how you do the math, it will not work. … It simply does not compute.—
Chuck Finder
Chuck FinderExamples of compute in a Sentence
for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
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The minimum amount is computed based on the life expectancy table in IRS Publication 590-B, which is available free on the IRS web site.
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
The minimum amount is computed based on the life expectancy table in IRS Publication 590-B, which is available free on the IRS web site.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Throughout the week, Nvidia plans to share at least some of its vision for incorporating Groq’s chip technology into its already-dominant AI computing ecosystem.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Instead of building server farms on land and running long transmission lines from distant wind farms, Aikido’s design places computing infrastructure directly at the source of renewable energy, colocating power generation, computing, cooling, and energy storage on a single floating platform.
—Etiido Uko
march 13, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compute
Cite this Entry
“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compute
verb
com·pute
kəm-ˈpyüt 
computed; computing
1
: to determine or calculate especially by mathematical means
also
: to determine or calculate by means of a computer
2
informal
: to make sense
computable
adjective
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
Etymology
from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1
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