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calculus

noun
cal·​cu·​lus | \ ˈkal-kyə-ləs How to pronounce calculus (audio) \
plural calculi\ ˈkal-​kyə-​ˌlī How to pronounce calculi (audio) , -​ˌlē \ also calculuses

Definition of calculus

1a : a method of computation or calculation in a special notation (as of logic or symbolic logic)
b : the mathematical methods comprising differential and integral calculus —often used with the
2 : calculation … even political conservatives agree that an economic calculus must give way to a strategic consciousness when national or global security is at stake.— Stephen H. Schneider
3a : a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ducts
b : tartar entry 1 sense 1
4 : a system or arrangement of intricate or interrelated parts
Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about calculus

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Did You Know?

In Latin calculus meant “pebble.” Because the Romans used pebbles to do addition and subtraction on a counting board, the word became associated with computation. Other English derivatives include calculator and calculation. Calculus itself has been borrowed into English as a medical term that refers to masses of matter in the body such as kidney stones (a straightforward extension of the meaning “pebble”) and to refer to a system of mathematical computation.

Examples of calculus in a Sentence

by my calculus the more efficient air conditioner will have paid for itself within a span of five years

Recent Examples on the Web

 There is still time for the trade deadline calculus to change. — Nick Piecoro, azcentral, "Arizona Diamondbacks need to sell their way out of mediocrity," 16 July 2019 Underlying the calculus is a real concern among party leaders, donors and strategists that Democratic infighting could threaten their chief goal: beating Trump. — Steve Peoples, The Denver Post, "New phase in 2020 presidential race tests Democrats’ aggression," 24 June 2019 Fast forward to this week, and for some companies and their leaders, the calculus has changed. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, "Why CEOs Never Talked About Abortion—Until Now: The Broadsheet," 11 June 2019 Infinities implicitly pervade many familiar mathematical concepts, such as the idea of points as mentioned above, the idea of the continuum, and the concept of infinitesimals in calculus. — Quanta Magazine, "Is Infinity Real?," 16 June 2016 But many here are still considering the journey - and falling incomes are a major part of the calculus. — Kevin Sieff, Anchorage Daily News, "Falling coffee prices drive Guatemalan migration to the United States," 12 June 2019 Palais was exploring what was then mostly uncharted territory lying between analysis (a generalization of calculus) and topology and geometry (which study the structure of shapes). — Quanta Magazine, "Karen Uhlenbeck, Uniter of Geometry and Analysis, Wins Abel Prize," 19 Mar. 2019 But a strong background in math and science, including calculus and physics if possible, is key for success as a computer science major, said Gary Leavens, chairman of UCF’s computer science department. — Leslie Postal, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida continues computer science push, hoping to train more teachers, enroll more high school students," 17 July 2019 Teacher to banker Epstein taught calculus and physics at K-12 Dalton school between 1973 and 1975 before his financial career prospects grew. — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, "Who is Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire charged with sex trafficking girls as young as 14?," 8 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calculus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of calculus

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for calculus

Latin, stone (used in reckoning)

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More Definitions for calculus

calculus

noun
How to pronounce calculus (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of calculus

: an advanced branch of mathematics that deals mostly with rates of change and with finding lengths, areas, and volumes

See the full definition for calculus in the English Language Learners Dictionary

calculus

noun
cal·​cu·​lus | \ ˈkal-kyə-ləs How to pronounce calculus (audio) \

Kids Definition of calculus

: a branch of mathematics that deals mostly with rates of change and with finding lengths, areas, and volumes

calculus

noun
cal·​cu·​lus | \ -ləs How to pronounce calculus (audio) \
plural calculi\ -​ˌlī, -​ˌlē How to pronounce calculi (audio) \ also calculuses

Medical Definition of calculus

1 : a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ducts
2 : a concretion on teeth : tartar

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