calculus
noun
Stephen H. Schneider
Did you know?
In Latin calculus meant “pebble.” Because the Romans used pebbles to do addition and subtraction on a counting board, the word became associated with computation. Other English derivatives include calculator and calculation. Calculus itself has been borrowed into English as a medical term that refers to masses of matter in the body such as kidney stones (a straightforward extension of the meaning “pebble”) and to refer to a system of mathematical computation.
Synonyms
Examples of calculus in a Sentence
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2024
In the brutal calculus of war, the need for more manpower
Both sides appear to need more troops.
—Jeongyoon Han, NPR, 13 June 2024
As a result, no one can do more to change Putin’s calculus than the Republican leaders who are seen as least committed to Ukraine.
—Dan Altman, Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2024
The leaders of China and India — both large buyers of Russian oil — have warned Mr. Putin against crossing the line with nuclear weapons, U.S. officials said, and that has factored into the recent calculus of the Americans.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for calculus 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calculus.' 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 calculus
Cite this Entry
“Calculus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calculus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calculus
noun
Medical Definition
calculus
noun
also calculuses
Share