the equator
noun
: an imaginary circle around the middle of the Earth that is the same distance from the North Pole and the South Pole
The city of Quito, Ecuador, lies very close to the equator.
Examples of the equator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
El Niño is a warming of the ocean waters in the tropical Pacific from just off the Mexico coast to the middle of the Pacific along the equator.
—
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Butterfly mimicry evolves faster near the equator.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Easter, on Friday, March 20, when the sun's rays fall directly on the equator, according to EarthSky.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
This differs from a summer or winter solstice, when the sun is farthest north or south of the equator, creating the longest and shortest days of the year.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2026
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Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Butterfly mimicry evolves faster near the equator.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Easter, on Friday, March 20, when the sun's rays fall directly on the equator, according to EarthSky.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
This differs from a summer or winter solstice, when the sun is farthest north or south of the equator, creating the longest and shortest days of the year.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the equator
Cite this Entry
“The equator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20equator. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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