Compute - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT compute /kəmˈpjut/ /kəmˈpjut/ IPA guide

Other forms: computing; computed; computes

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.

Definitions of compute

verb make a mathematical calculation or computation synonyms: calculate, cipher, cypher, figure, reckon, work out work out be calculated see moresee less types: show 40 types... hide 40 types... quantise, quantize apply quantum theory to; restrict the number of possible values of (a quantity) or states of (a physical entity or system) so that certain variables can assume only certain discrete magnitudes that are integral multiples of a common factor extract calculate the root of a number process perform mathematical and logical operations on (data) according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the required information prorate divide or assess proportionally miscalculate, misestimate calculate incorrectly recalculate calculate anew average, average out compute the average of factor, factor in, factor out resolve into factors add, add together make an addition by combining numbers deduct, subtract, take off make a subtraction multiply combine by multiplication divide, fraction perform a division extrapolate, interpolate estimate the value of differentiate calculate a derivative; take the derivative integrate calculate the integral of; calculate by integration survey plot a map of (land) approximate, estimate, gauge, guess, judge judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time) budget make a budget capitalise, capitalize compute the present value of a business or an income resolve, solve find the solution square raise to the second power cube raise to the third power foot, foot up add a column of numbers carry back deduct a loss or an unused credit from taxable income for a prior period raise multiply (a number) by itself a specified number of times: 8 is 2 raised to the power 3 halve divide by two; divide into halves quarter divide by four; divide into quarters triangulate survey by triangulation quantise, quantize approximate (a signal varying continuously in amplitude) by one whose amplitude is restricted to a prescribed set of discrete values misgauge gauge something incorrectly or improperly place, put, set estimate give estimate the duration or outcome of something lowball, underestimate make a deliberately low estimate assess estimate the value of (property) for taxation make calculate as being count, reckon take account of overcapitalise, overcapitalize estimate the capital value of (a company) at an unreasonably or unlawfully high level factorise, factorize resolve (a polynomial) into factors truncate approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one guesstimate estimate based on a calculation type of: reason think logically

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