equivalence

[ ih-kwiv-uh-luhns ee-kwuh-vey-luhns ]

noun

1. the state or fact of being equivalent; equality in value, force, significance, etc.
2. an instance of this; an equivalent.
3. Chemistry. the quality of having equal valence.
4. Logic, Mathematics.
   1. Also called material implication. the relation between two propositions such that the second is not false when the first is true.
   2. Also called material equivalence. the relation between two propositions such that they are either both true or both false.
   3. the relation between two propositions such that each logically implies the other.

adjective

1. (of a logical or mathematical relationship) reflexive, symmetrical, and transitive.

equivalence

/ ɪˈkwɪvələns /

noun

1. the state of being equivalent or interchangeable
2. maths logic
   1. the relationship between two statements, each of which implies the other
   2. Also calledbiconditional the binary truth-function that takes the value true when both component sentences are true or when both are false, corresponding to English if and only if . Symbol: ≡ or ↔, as in –( p ∧ q ) ≡ – p ∨ – q

Other Words From

• none·quiva·lence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalence¹

1535–45; < Middle French < Medieval Latin aequivalentia, equivalent to Latin aequivalent- equivalent + -ia -ia; -ence

Example Sentences

It could have stopped using soft, empty language and false equivalence, and made it crystal clear to the public that if elected Trump would turn America into a racist, authoritarian regime where facts don’t matter.

From Salon

If journalism's “bias” is to report what is factual, that kind of “neutrality” in the age of Trump is rapidly becoming an anachronism of false equivalence.

From Salon

Science and quackery cannot be treated as having scientific and moral equivalence.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trump partisans were screaming that the moderators were too tough on Vance while the Democratic partisans moaned in agony about “false equivalence.”

From Salon

Trump declared he had a "very good relationship" with both Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin – an equivalence that is painful to Ukrainian ears.

From BBC