compute

American  

[kuhm-pyoot] / kəmˈpyut /

verb (used with object)

computed, computing

1. to determine by calculation; reckon; calculate.

   These early astronomers computed the period of Jupiter's revolution.

   Synonyms:

   figure, count, estimate

2. to determine by using a computer or calculator.

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verb (used without object)

computed, computing

1. to reckon; calculate.

2. to use a computer or calculator.

3. Informal. to make sense; add up.

   His reasons for doing that just don't compute.

noun

1. computation.

   Outer space is vast beyond compute.

2. the processing, memory, and storage resources required for a computer, network, or program to function.

   To meet today's business demands, you need a solid foundation of compute.

adjective

1. relating to or comprising the processing, memory, and storage resources required for a computer or program to function.

   The system uses intelligent load balancing so as to maximally utilize the available compute power.

compute British  

/ kəmˈpjuːt /

verb

1. to calculate (an answer, result, etc), often with the aid of a computer

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noun

1. calculation; computation (esp in the phrase beyond compute )

Other Word Forms

• computability noun
• computable adjective
• computably adverb
• computist noun
• miscompute verb
• precompute verb
• recompute verb (used with object)
• uncomputable adjective
• uncomputableness noun
• uncomputably adverb
• uncomputed adjective

Etymology

Origin of compute

First recorded in 1375–1425, for an earlier sense; 1580–90 compute for def. 6; (for the verb) from Latin computāre, from com- com- + putāre “to think”; (for the noun) late Middle English from Middle French from Late Latin computus “calculation, number,” noun derivative of computāre; cf. count ¹, putative

Explanation

When you solve a mathematical problem, you compute the answer. To compute is to calculate, either literally or figuratively. Computers do the math for you, faster than humans ever can. You'll often hear someone say that something "does not compute." This means it doesn't add up, it doesn't make sense. You might compute how long it will take you to get to school or the likelihood that your mother will let you stay out late.

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, Tesla surprised Wall Street with better-than-expected profit and free cash flow, while also forecasting $25 billion in capital expenditures this year as it spends on AI compute and new factories.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

“As of late, we have been seeing more and more demand for having the compute closer and closer to the workloads,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Anthropic is turning to Amazon.com as it looks to satisfy its hunger for artificial-intelligence compute power, and that’s good news for suppliers to the tech giant’s chip ecosystem.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

On Wednesday, the company entered into agreement to provide quantitative-trading firm Jane Street with $6 billion of compute.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

“It did not compute in my kid brain.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• figure out
• gauge