equivalent

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

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.

noun

1. something that is equivalent.

equivalent

/ 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

noun

1. something that is equivalent
2. short for equivalent weight

equivalent

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• eˈquivalently, adverb

Other Words From

• e·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• none·quiva·lent adjective noun
• none·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• quasi-e·quiva·lent adjective
• quasi-e·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• super·e·quiva·lent adjective noun
• une·quiva·lent adjective
• une·quiva·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalent¹

C15: from Late Latin aequivalēns, from aequivalēre to be equally significant, from Latin aequi- equi- + valēre to be worth

Synonym Study

See equal.

Example Sentences

The old maps of the body had the equivalent of major roads and significant geography but also areas cartographers labelled unknown or “terra incognita”.

From BBC

The population of the white-backed vulture, for example, declined by around 90 percent in just three generations -- equivalent to an average decline of 4 percent per year.

From Science Daily

Storm Shadow missiles, and their French equivalent called SCALP, have been sent in limited quantities - low hundreds not thousands - to Ukraine and so far have only been used against targets inside its borders.

From BBC

Like all MOFs, the material features a porous, crystalline array of metal ions and organic linkers, with an internal area equivalent to about six football fields per tablespoon -- a huge area for adsorbing gases.

From Science Daily

This policy package also delivers climate benefits, reducing emissions equivalent to taking 300 million gasoline-powered vehicles off the road for one year.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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