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 Twain
Examples 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
Monthly payments are currently calculated to be 10% of your discretionary income (above 225% of the poverty line), but in July that number will drop to 5%.
—Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 20 June 2024
To communicate hot weather’s risk to individuals, the National Weather Service calculates a HeatRisk index based on factors including how unusual heat is for the time of year, the duration of heat and whether Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates temperatures pose elevated risk.
—Annie Jennemann, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2024
But that figure is now 3% lower than at the same point in 2023, and China’s lead over the North American market (calculated at $3.09 billion by Comscore) is shrinking.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 17 June 2024
King pulled from another Hillside childhood experience to calculate his next move.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for calculate 
Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 20 June 2024
To communicate hot weather’s risk to individuals, the National Weather Service calculates a HeatRisk index based on factors including how unusual heat is for the time of year, the duration of heat and whether Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates temperatures pose elevated risk.
—Annie Jennemann, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2024
But that figure is now 3% lower than at the same point in 2023, and China’s lead over the North American market (calculated at $3.09 billion by Comscore) is shrinking.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 17 June 2024
King pulled from another Hillside childhood experience to calculate his next move.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for calculate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calculate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near calculate
Cite this Entry
“Calculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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