calculate
verb
cal·cu·late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt 
calculated; calculating
transitive verb
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 Twainintransitive verb
1
a
: to make a calculation
b
: to forecast consequences
2
: count, rely
Synonyms
- cipher
- compute
- figure
- reckon
- work out
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 To calculate it, first designate your two loops as A and B. Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021 The metrics involved in those realms are well known, and, at least for corporate producers, the data needed to calculate them and perform the comparisons has been public thanks to regulatory reporting requirements. David Blackmon, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2021 To calculate your personal inflation rate for April, for instance, total your monthly expenses for April 2021. Betsy Streisand, NBC News, 12 May 2022 Insurers look at several factors to calculate your rate, including your driving record, credit score, age and gender. Rachel Wolfe, WSJ, 7 Mar. 2022 This test looks for creatinine, a waste product that can build up in your blood when your kidneys are damaged, Your doctor puts your result into a math formula to calculate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Hallie Levine, Health.com, 3 Jan. 2022 To calculate the rate of Medicare patients who got covid or died, KHN relied on the MedPAR data for April through September. Christina Jewett, CNN, 7 Nov. 2021 To calculate the rate of Medicare patients who got COVID-19 or died, KHN relied on the MedPAR data for April through September. Christina Jewett, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Nov. 2021 To calculate the rate of Medicare patients who got covid or died, KHN relied on the MedPAR data for April through September. Christina Jewett, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2021 See More
Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021 The metrics involved in those realms are well known, and, at least for corporate producers, the data needed to calculate them and perform the comparisons has been public thanks to regulatory reporting requirements. David Blackmon, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2021 To calculate your personal inflation rate for April, for instance, total your monthly expenses for April 2021. Betsy Streisand, NBC News, 12 May 2022 Insurers look at several factors to calculate your rate, including your driving record, credit score, age and gender. Rachel Wolfe, WSJ, 7 Mar. 2022 This test looks for creatinine, a waste product that can build up in your blood when your kidneys are damaged, Your doctor puts your result into a math formula to calculate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Hallie Levine, Health.com, 3 Jan. 2022 To calculate the rate of Medicare patients who got covid or died, KHN relied on the MedPAR data for April through September. Christina Jewett, CNN, 7 Nov. 2021 To calculate the rate of Medicare patients who got COVID-19 or died, KHN relied on the MedPAR data for April through September. Christina Jewett, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Nov. 2021 To calculate the rate of Medicare patients who got covid or died, KHN relied on the MedPAR data for April through September. Christina Jewett, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin calculatus, past participle of calculare, from calculus pebble (used in reckoning), perhaps irregular diminutive of calc-, calx lime — more at chalk
First Known Use
1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Kids Definition
calculate
verb
cal·cu·late ˈkal-kyə-ˌlāt
calculated; calculating
1
: to find by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing : compute
calculate an average
2
: estimate entry 1
She calculated the risk.
3
: to plan by careful thought : intend
Her remark was calculated to shock her listeners.
calculates
verb
1
as in computes
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations the family has been calculating what a week at the beach resort would end up costing Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- computes
- figures
- assesses
- evaluates
- estimates
- measures
- adds
- subtracts
- multiplies
- divides
- counts
- sums
- reckons
- ciphers
- deducts
- works out
- averages
- gauges
- adds up
- tallies
- recalculates
- totalizes
- calibrates
- scales
- totals
- figures in
- rates
- itemizes
- appraises
- gages
- recomputes
- values
- figures out
- numbers
- factors (in or into or out)
- solves (for)
- allows (for)
- refigures
2
as in estimates
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement I calculate that this job will take another two days to finish Synonyms & Similar Words
- estimates
- figures
- supposes
- makes
- puts
- guesses
- gauges
- reckons
- judges
- calls
- gages
- understands
- concludes
- places
- conjectures
- extrapolates
- infers
- deduces
- gathers
- reasons
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- measures
- calibrates
- computes
- scales
- works out
3
as in prepares
to work out the details of (something) in advance calculated the best route to take to the coast Synonyms & Similar Words
- prepares
- organizes
- plans
- arranges
- designs
- outlines
- charts
- plots
- devises
- choreographs
- shapes
- budgets
- projects
- blueprints
- contemplates
- lays out
- strategizes (about)
- drafts
- intends
- frames
- schemes (out)
- maps (out)
- contrives
- conspires
- aims
- figures
- means
- intrigues
- sketches
- meditates
- has on
- machinates
- concerts
- gets up
- premeditates
- puts up
4
as in intends
to have in mind as a purpose or goal I calculate to run a marathon from start to finish—even if it kills me Synonyms & Similar Words
- intends
- plans
- contemplates
- means
- proposes
- aims
- goes
- looks
- tries
- hopes
- purports
- wishes
- aspires
- purposes
- allows
- considers
- meditates
- designs
- figures on
- attempts
- ponders
- strives
- executes
- performs
- achieves
- accomplishes
- struggles
- dreams
- plots
- effects
- debates
- schemes
- endeavors
- mulls (over)
5
as in relies
to place reliance or trust we know we can calculate on you following through, whatever the assignment Synonyms & Similar Words
- relies
- counts
- depends
- leans
- reckons
- stands on
- looks to
- figures on
- banks on
- calls upon
- calls on
- entrusts
- confides
- trusts
- commits
- intrusts
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distrusts
- suspects
- questions
- mistrusts