compute

verb

com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt How to pronounce compute (audio)
computed; computing
Synonyms of computenext

transitive verb

: to determine especially by mathematical means
Compute the area of the triangle.
also : to determine or calculate by means of a computer
computing pi to over one billion places

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms of compute

Relevance
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Examples of compute in a Sentence

for the test we were required to compute the answers without using a calculator
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.
Foundation Models Are Becoming Infrastructure The economics of foundation models increasingly resemble the economics of computing infrastructure. — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 On one end are the AI labs like Anthropic and OpenAI that consume enormous amounts of computing power, along with a few breakout consumer applications like Claude Code and ChatGPT. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 The results offered fresh evidence that Microsoft's massive AI investments are beginning to pay off, helping ease investor concerns that heavy spending on data centers and computing infrastructure could outpace demand. — Anhata Rooprai, USA Today, 31 July 2026 The chip is the world’s first processor to compute on both ultrafast data signals and wireless communication signals by harnessing the physics of microwaves. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compute

Word History

Etymology

Latin computare — more at count

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of compute was in 1579

Phrases Containing compute

Rhymes for compute

See All Rhymes for compute

Browse Nearby Words

computator
compute
computed tomography
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Cite this Entry

“Compute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compute. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

compute

verb
com·​pute kəm-ˈpyüt How to pronounce compute (audio)
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
-ˈpyüt-ə-bəl
adjective
Etymology

from Latin computare "to count, compute" — related to account, count entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on compute

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