# calculus

/ˈkæɫkjəɫəs/ (US) · /kˈælkjʊləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/calculus
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. advanced mathematics

noun · CEFR B2

a branch of advanced mathematics that deals with how things change, such as the speed of a moving object.

For teachers: the branch of mathematics that deals with the finding and properties of derivatives and integrals of functions. Uncountable in this sense.

- She had to study calculus in her first year of engineering at university.
- The physics professor explained how integral calculus could be used to determine the exact volume of an irregular solid.

Usage: Usually used without an article when referring to the field of study.

### 2. dental plaque

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

hard, yellowish substance that forms on teeth when they are not cleaned properly.

For teachers: a hard yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of calcium phosphate and organic matter. Uncountable in this dental context.

- Regular brushing helps prevent the buildup of calculus on your teeth.
- The dental hygienist used a specialized tool to remove the stubborn calculus that had accumulated below the gum line.

Teaching tip: In everyday conversation, most people use the word 'tartar' instead of 'calculus'.

### 3. a body stone

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small, hard stone that forms inside an organ like the kidney.

For teachers: a concretion of minerals formed within the body, especially in the kidney or gallbladder. Countable in this medical sense.

- The doctor found a small calculus in the patient's gallbladder.
- The surgeon successfully removed a renal calculus that had been causing the patient significant discomfort for several months.

### 4. a way of deciding

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a way of calculating or thinking about a situation to make a decision.

For teachers: a particular method or system of calculation or reasoning, often applied to political or social strategy.

- The political calculus changed after the new law was passed.
- The CEO's strategic calculus involved weighing the potential for rapid growth against the significant risks of entering an unstable market.

## Examples

- She is studying calculus to prepare for her engineering degree.
- Engineers use calculus to determine the exact rate of change in a bridge's structural integrity over time.
- The development of infinitesimal calculus in the seventeenth century provided the mathematical framework necessary for the birth of modern physics and celestial mechanics.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.