calculation

[kal-kyuh-ley-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of calculating; computation.

2. the result or product of calculation.

   His calculations agree with ours.

3. an estimate based on the known facts; forecast.

   Her calculation of the building costs proved quite accurate.

4. forethought; prior or careful planning.

5. scheming selfishness.

calculation

/ ˌkælkjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act, process, or result of calculating

2. an estimation of probability; forecast

3. careful planning or forethought, esp for selfish motives

Other Word Forms

• calculative adjective
• calculational adjective
• calculatory adjective
• noncalculative adjective
• precalculation noun
• uncalculative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calculation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin calculātiōn- (stem of calculātiō “reckoning”). See calculate, -ion

Synonym Study

See prudence.

Example Sentences

Although the award was massive and unprecedented, it could have been much worse, according to some calculations.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s smarter, stronger, colder and emotionless in his calculations.

From Salon

This income figure was used to determine how much welfare was paid, but the calculation led to mistakes if a welfare recipient worked irregular hours from week to week.

From BBC

For this exercise, we took a calculation of the centre of the UK being a location in Lancashire and figured out the distance from that point to the franchise's stadium in the US.

From BBC

The shift to solar is primarily a commercial calculation.

From BBC

Related Words

• arithmetic 
• computation 
• counting www.thesaurus.com
• estimate 
• estimation 
• forecast 
• judgment 
• prediction