computation
gb/kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/ us/kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
process
1
process of calculating something
the process of working out an answer with numbers
Usage pattern:
computation of [amount/result]; by computation
Common mistake:
In everyday English, calculation is usually more natural than computation.
Synonyms
calculation (more common in everyday English)
|
reckoning (more old-fashioned or literary)
Antonyms
guesswork (an answer reached without proper calculation)
|
estimation (an approximate process rather than an exact calculation)
Collocations
perform a computation
|carry out a computation
|do a computation
|computation of interest
|tax computation
|complex computation
|accurate computation
|mathematical computation
|numerical computation
|error in computation
Themes
mathematics
|education
|finance
|science
Examples
- The computation of the final score took only a few seconds.
- Errors in the computation changed the amount of tax she owed.
- The students were allowed to use calculators for the computation.
Learner examples
- This computation is difficult without a calculator.
- Check your computation before you write the answer.
Noun
technical
C1
process
2
computer processing work
the work a computer or algorithm does to process information
Usage pattern:
[system/algorithm] performs computation; computation on [data]
Common mistake:
Do not use computation as a general synonym for computer. It refers to the processing work, not the machine itself.
Synonyms
computing (more common and general, especially for computer-based activity)
|
processing (broader; can include non-mathematical handling of data)
Antonyms
manual processing (work done by people rather than by a computer or algorithm)
Collocations
perform computation
|require computation
|computation resources
|computation cost
|computation speed
|parallel computation
|distributed computation
|quantum computation
|neural computation
|intensive computation
Themes
computing
|technology
|data
|science
Examples
- The app sends the data to a server for computation.
- Modern AI systems require enormous amounts of computation.
- The new chip reduces the energy used in computation.
Learner examples
- The computer does the computation very quickly.
- This program needs a lot of computation.
Noun
formal
C2
entity
3
calculated result or working
a calculated number, or the written calculation used to get it
Usage pattern:
a computation; computations; [someone]'s computation
Common mistake:
Computation is countable in this sense: say a computation or several computations.
Synonyms
calculation (more common and less formal)
|
figure (informal when referring to the numerical result)
Antonyms
miscalculation (an incorrect calculation or result)
|
guess (a result not based on careful calculation)
Collocations
check a computation
|show your computation
|detailed computations
|financial computations
|statistical computations
|the final computation
|a rough computation
|a correct computation
Themes
mathematics
|finance
|business
|education
Examples
- Her computation put the total cost at $4,850.
- The report included detailed computations for each scenario.
- I checked the computation and found a missing zero.
Learner examples
- His computation was correct.
- The teacher looked at my computations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
computation
IPA
GB/kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
US/kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
com - pu - ta - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ta)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: computation
- Plural: computation, computations
Expressions
computation time
1/kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
technical
time needed to compute
how long a computer calculation takes
Examples
- The new algorithm cuts the computation time from hours to minutes.
- Large images increase the computation time needed for the model.
- We measured the computation time on three different machines.
distributed computation
1/dɪstɹˈɪbjətɪd kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
computing across many machines
a task done by many connected computers working together
Examples
- Distributed computation allows the company to analyze huge data sets more quickly.
- The project uses distributed computation to search for new drug candidates.
- Failures are harder to manage in distributed computation than on a single machine.
quantum computation
1/kwˈɔntəm kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
computing with quantum effects
computing that uses special rules of quantum physics
Examples
- Quantum computation may solve certain problems much faster than classical methods.
- The laboratory studies new materials for quantum computation.
scientific computation
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
computing for scientific problems
using computers to solve scientific problems
Examples
- Scientific computation is essential for climate modeling.
- The department offers courses in numerical analysis and scientific computation.
- Better software has made scientific computation faster and more accessible.
theory of computation
1/θˈiɚi əv kˌɑmpjətˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
study of computable problems
the study of what computers and algorithms can or cannot solve
Examples
- The course covers automata, formal languages, and the theory of computation.
- Her research in the theory of computation focuses on problems that cannot be solved algorithmically.