computation
C1Formal, Technical, Academic
Definition
Meaning
The act, process, or result of calculating or determining something mathematically.
The use of computers or algorithmic processes to calculate, process data, or simulate complex systems; the general activity of performing calculations, whether mental, manual, or automated.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the process or result itself, not the subject matter. It often implies a degree of complexity, systematic method, or the involvement of a calculating device. In modern contexts, strongly associated with digital computers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling is identical. Contexts of use are the same across both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of systematic, formal, or technical calculation.
Frequency
Equally common in academic, scientific, and technical registers in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] perform(s) a computation of [object][subject] involve(s) complex computation(s)The computation of [result] takes [time]A computation based on [data]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Number crunching (informal, related)”
- “Do the math (informal, related)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in finance for profit/loss calculations, in logistics for route optimisation, and in data analytics. (e.g., 'The computation of quarterly taxes is automated.')
Academic
Central to mathematics, computer science, physics, and engineering. Refers to formal processes and algorithms. (e.g., 'The paper details a novel computation for protein folding.')
Everyday
Used for planned, somewhat complex tasks like budgeting, planning a journey, or dividing bills. (e.g., 'The computation of our shared expenses took an hour.')
Technical
The core activity of computing systems; refers to executing algorithms, processing data, and performing operations. (e.g., 'The GPU handles the graphical computation.')
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The system is computing the optimal route.
- I need to compute the VAT for this invoice.
American English
- The algorithm computes the solution in milliseconds.
- We computed the total cost of the project.
adverb
British English
- The problem is computationally intensive.
- This method is computationally inefficient.
American English
- The task is computationally expensive.
- It's solved computationally.
adjective
British English
- They have immense computational power.
- This is a computational linguistics problem.
American English
- The model has high computational requirements.
- She works in computational biology.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The computation of the total bill was easy.
- He did the computation on a piece of paper.
- Modern phones can handle complex computations very quickly.
- The travel time computation included traffic delays.
- The research required millions of computations to simulate the climate model.
- Errors in the initial computation led to the wrong conclusion.
- Quantum computation promises to solve certain classes of problems intractable for classical computers.
- The theoretical framework rests on the computation of probabilities across multiple states.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMPUTER performing an ACTION -> COMPUT-ATION. It's the action/process a computer (or person) does with numbers.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION (e.g., 'I'm still computing the implications.'), THE MIND IS A COMPUTER (e.g., 'cognitive computations').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly using 'компьютация' – it's a rare, technical loanword. Use 'вычисление' or 'расчёт' for the general meaning.
- Do not confuse with 'computerization' (компьютеризация), which is about equipping with computers, not the act of calculating itself.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'computation' (process/result) with 'computerization' (the act of introducing computers).
- Using it for very simple, instantaneous calculations where 'calculation' or 'figure' is more natural (e.g., 'the computation of 2+2').
- Misspelling as 'comput*e*tion'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'computation' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While strongly associated with computers today, its core meaning is any act of calculating, which can be done manually, mentally, or mechanically.
They are often synonymous. 'Computation' can sound more formal, systematic, complex, or imply the use of a defined procedure/algorithm. 'Calculation' is broader and more common for everyday maths.
Yes. You can perform 'a computation' (singular, a specific act) or 'complex computations' (plural, multiple acts).
It is the adjective form, meaning 'relating to or involving computation'. It's used in fields like computational linguistics, computational fluid dynamics, etc., to denote the use of computer models and algorithms.
Explore