equatorial

[ ee-kwuh-tawr-ee-uhl, ek-wuh- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or near an equator, especially the equator of the earth.
2. of, like, or typical of the regions at the earth's equator:

   equatorial temperatures.

noun

1. a telescope mounting having two axes of motion, one parallel to the earth's axis and one at right angles to it.
2. Also called e·qua·to·ri·al tel·e·scope [ee, -kw, uh, -tawr-ee-, uh, l , tel, -, uh, -skohp, ek, -w, uh, -],. a telescope with such a mounting.

equatorial

/ ˌɛkwəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of, like, or existing at or near the equator
2. astronautics (of a telescope) mounted on the perpendicular axes, one of which is parallel to the earth's axis

   an equatorial orbit

3. astronomy of or referring to the celestial equator

   equatorial coordinates

noun

1. an equatorial mounting for a telescope

Derived Forms

• ˌequaˈtorially, adverb

Other Words From

• e·qua·to·ri·al·ly adverb
• non·e·qua·to·ri·al adjective
• non·e·qua·to·ri·al·ly adverb
• trans·e·qua·to·ri·al adjective
• trans·e·qua·to·ri·al·ly adverb
• un·e·qua·to·ri·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of equatorial¹

First recorded in 1655–65; equator + -ial

Example Sentences

During La Niña, unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean typically send winter storms on more northerly tracks, leaving the southern U.S. warmer and drier.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Klinger notes that space launches from equatorial regions – which may not require as much fuel – could mean that African space ports have an important role to play in the coming decades.

From BBC

Buzza said the launches are important for the Starlink satellite broadband network SpaceX is building, since they put the satellites into a polar orbit, complementing Florida launches that put them in an equatorial orbit.

From Los Angeles Times

El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that starts with unusually warm water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and then changes weather worldwide.

From Seattle Times

Weather across South America is affected by the El Niño climate phenomenon, a naturally occurring event that periodically warms surface waters in the equatorial Pacific.

From Seattle Times