equivalent

American  

[ih-kwiv-uh-luhnt, ee-kwuh-vey-luhnt] / ɪˈkwɪv ə lənt, ˌi kwəˈveɪ lənt /

adjective

1. equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc..

   His silence is equivalent to an admission of guilt.

2. corresponding in position, function, etc..

   In some ways their prime minister is equivalent to our president.

3. Geometry. having the same extent, as a triangle and a square of equal area.

4. Mathematics. (of two sets) able to be placed in one-to-one correspondence.

5. Chemistry. having the same capacity to combine or react chemically.

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noun

1. something that is equivalent.

equivalent British  

/ ɪˈkwɪvələnt /

adjective

1. equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, significance, etc

2. having the same or a similar effect or meaning

3. maths

   1. having a particular property in common; equal

   2. (of two equations or inequalities) having the same set of solutions

   3. (of two sets) having the same cardinal number

4. maths logic (of two propositions) having an equivalence between them

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noun

1. something that is equivalent

2. short for equivalent weight

equivalent Scientific  

/ ĭ-kwĭv′ə-lənt /

1. Equal, as in value, meaning, or force.

2. 1. Of or relating to a relation between two elements that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.

   2. Having a one-to-one correspondence, as between parts. Two triangles having the same area are equivalent, as are two congruent geometric figures.

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Related Words

See equal.

Other Word Forms

• equivalently adverb
• nonequivalent adjective
• nonequivalently adverb
• quasi-equivalent adjective
• quasi-equivalently adverb
• superequivalent adjective
• unequivalent adjective
• unequivalently adverb

Etymology

Origin of equivalent

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin aequivalent- (stem of aequivalēns ), present participle of aequivalēre. See equi-, -valent

Example Sentences

The Kremlin’s initial efforts to replace foreign platforms with homegrown equivalents were hamfisted.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors asked to pull the equivalent of 14% of its biggest fund in the first quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal

That is even after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, shaving as much as 16 million barrels from daily petroleum supplies, equivalent to 15% of prewar demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

He says his fees are the equivalent of two full time members of staff salaries per month.

From BBC

By 10:24 p.m., the equivalent of 20,000 Olympic swimming pools of water flows out.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• commensurate
• comparable
• corresponding
• equal
• identical
• proportionate
• tantamount