equatorial

adjective

Synonyms of equatorialnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
El Niño events are characterized by hotter than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean, along with corresponding shifts in the atmospheric circulation throughout that region. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Temperatures have warmed dramatically across the equatorial Pacific Ocean in 2026, signaling the onset of a strong and potentially historic El Niño. Julia Cole, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Ideal for exploring our own solar system, the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ comes with 20mm and 4mm eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens, a German equatorial mount, finderscope and Starry Night astronomy software. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026 El Nino is a periodic warming of water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean that can affect global weather patterns for months, according to AccuWeather. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equatorial

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of equatorial was in 1664

Cite this Entry

“Equatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equatorial. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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

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
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