number cruncher

noun

1
: a computer that performs fast numerical calculations especially on large amounts of data
2
: a person concerned with numerical data (such as statistics)
number crunching noun

Examples of number cruncher in a Sentence

The number crunchers in Washington are expecting a budget surplus by the fall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Well, almost no one was stirring — except for the number crunchers at DC. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025 Government number crunchers were temporarily idled in October, so were unable to collect housing prices that month. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 12 May 2026 What's interesting, according to the number crunchers at Climate Central, is that over time, April is growing warmer at a decent clip. — Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 12 May 2025 Scientists are philosophers, explorers, data collectors and number crunchers. — Adam Meyer, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for number cruncher

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of number cruncher was in 1966

Rhymes for number cruncher

See All Rhymes for number cruncher

Browse Nearby Words

number-board
number cruncher
number crunching
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Number cruncher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/number%20cruncher. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

number cruncher

noun
number crunch·​er
-ˈkrən-chər
1
: a computer that performs fast numerical calculations especially on large amounts of data
2
: a person concerned with complex numerical data
number crunching noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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