equatorial

adjective

equa·​to·​ri·​al ˌē-kwə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce equatorial (audio)
ˌe-kwə-
1
a
: of, relating to, or located at the equator or an equator
also : being in the plane of the equator
a satellite in equatorial orbit
b
: of, originating in, or suggesting the region around the geographic equator
2
a
: being or having a support that includes two axles at right angles to each other with one parallel to the earth's axis of rotation
an equatorial telescope mount
b
: extending in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane)
equatorial hydrogens
compare axial

Examples of equatorial in a Sentence

a lush equatorial rain forest that is threatened by rampant development
Recent Examples on the Web To that end, NASA's InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission which in 2018 landed on the flat equatorial plains of Elysium Planitia, some 600km north of NASA’s Curiosity rover, spent four years taking data on the geophysics of Mars’ interior. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The system formed over the Atlantic Ocean and extended far southward, pulling moisture from equatorial Africa into the northern Sahara, according to NASA. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2024 So, during an icehouse period, the difference between equatorial regions and high latitudes is on the order of 30° to 50° C. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024 Last year, equatorial countries that account for two-thirds of the global cocoa supply saw record rainfall. Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for equatorial 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equatorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of equatorial was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near equatorial

Cite this Entry

“Equatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equatorial. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

equatorial

adjective
equa·​to·​ri·​al ˌē-kwə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce equatorial (audio)
ˌek-wə-,
-ˈtȯr-
1
: of, relating to, or located at the equator
2
: of, originating in, or suggesting the region around the equator
equatorial heat

Medical Definition

equatorial

adjective
equa·​to·​ri·​al ˌē-kwə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce equatorial (audio) ˌek-wə- How to pronounce equatorial (audio)
-ˈtȯr-
1
: of, located at, or relating to an equator
equatorial diameter
2
: extending in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane)
equatorial hydrogen atoms
compare axial sense 2b

More from Merriam-Webster on equatorial

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