Word
computation
Phoneticscom·pu·ta·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑmpjəˈteɪʃən/
UK/kˌɒmpjuːtˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01the act of calculating
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Mathematics Academic · Technical
n. the process of calculating a result, often using a computer or complex math.
n. the act or mathematical process of computing; a systematic calculation or reckoning.
“The computer needs a few seconds to finish the computation of the data.”
“Modern cryptography relies on the fact that certain mathematical computations are practically impossible for current hardware to solve in a reasonable timeframe.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general process of calculating.
Synonyms
02the result of a calculation
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Technical
n. the final amount or answer you get after doing math.
n. the specific result or numerical value obtained through the process of computing.
“If his computations are correct, we should have enough money for the project.”
“The engineer double-checked her computations to ensure the bridge could withstand the projected wind loads during a storm.”
Usage
Commonly used as a countable noun when referring to specific sets of results.
Real-World Examples
“A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ( PNAS ) suggests that individual human neurons can carry out far more complex computations than neurons in other mammals.” “Performing computations will require a lot of operations on qubits, and it’s possible that those operations could have a different hierarchy of errors.” “This is a model that abstracts away from anatomical detail to focus on the core computations done by simple brains.” Etymology
From late Middle English computacioun, from Middle French computation, from Latin computatiō, from computare (“sum up, reckon, compute”); see compute. Morphologically compute + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/computation