COMPUTATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does computation mean? 

• COMPUTATION (noun)
  The noun COMPUTATION has 2 senses:

1. the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods

2. problem solving that involves numbers or quantities

  Familiarity information: COMPUTATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMPUTATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

calculation; computation; computing

Hypernyms ("computation" is a kind of...):

procedure; process (a particular course of action intended to achieve a result)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "computation"):

transposition ((mathematics) the transfer of a quantity from one side of an equation to the other along with a change of sign)

number crunching (performing complex and lengthy numerical calculations)

mathematical operation; mathematical process; operation ((mathematics) calculation by mathematical methods)

recalculation (the act of calculating again (usually to eliminate errors or to include additional data))

Derivation:

computational (of or involving computation or computers)

compute (make a mathematical calculation or computation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Problem solving that involves numbers or quantities

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

calculation; computation; figuring; reckoning

Hypernyms ("computation" is a kind of...):

problem solving (the thought processes involved in solving a problem)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "computation"):

extrapolation ((mathematics) calculation of the value of a function outside the range of known values)

interpolation ((mathematics) calculation of the value of a function between the values already known)

conversion (a change in the units or form of an expression:)

approximation; estimate; estimation; idea (an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth)

derivative; derived function; differential; differential coefficient; first derivative (the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx)

integral (the result of a mathematical integration; F(x) is the integral of f(x) if dF/dx = f(x))

Derivation:

computational (of or involving computation or computers)

compute (make a mathematical calculation or computation)

 Context examples 

While pilots rely on radio signals, advanced computations and other tools to keep them on course during strong crosswinds, birds can naturally navigate these demanding conditions — in environments with little visibility.

(Scientists discover how birds navigate crosswinds, National Science Foundation)

He said, “by the best computation he could make, we were at least a hundred leagues.”

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

And on no day did they succeed in making more than half the distance used by the men as a basis in their dog-food computation.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

The device software was found to implement an incorrect sequence of steps for a specific computation.

(Incorrect Device Software Algorithm Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

It was about the last day of our outward voyage by the largest computation; some time that night, or at latest before noon of the morrow, we should sight the Treasure Island.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

An interpreted programming language for performing numerical computations for scientific computing.

(Octave Programming Language, NCI Thesaurus)

Surprisingly, the researchers found that when an animal observed its partner, the observer’s amygdala neurons seemed to play out a decision computation.

(‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners, University of Cambridge)

A graphical calculating device or a two-dimensional diagram designed to allow the approximate graphical computation of a function.

(Nomogram Chart, NCI Thesaurus)

A published API which receives data in the form of objects, performs computations based upon the input data, and returns information to a client via the grid in the form of one or more objects.

(Analytical Grid Service, NCI Thesaurus)

To determine by mathematical computation.

(Mathematical Derivation, NCI Thesaurus)