Simple Definition of equivalent

from our Learner's Dictionary

equivalent

1 of 2

adjective

: having the same value, use, meaning, etc.
Those less-known companies manufacture equivalent products at cheaper prices.
I haven't taken English 202, but I took an equivalent course at another university.
an equivalent amount of money
two words of equivalent meaning = two words that are equivalent in meaning
often + to
100 milligrams of calcium, which is equivalent to three glasses of milk
Allowing him to leave prison now would be equivalent to [=would amount to, would be the same as] saying that his crime was not serious.

equivalent

2 of 2

noun

plural equivalents
: something that has the same value, use, meaning, etc., as another thing
a Chinese word for which English has no (exact) equivalent
His newspaper column is the journalistic equivalent of candy.

Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/equivalent. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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