equivalent

adjective

equiv·​a·​lent i-ˈkwi-və-lənt 

-ˈkwiv-lənt

1

: equal in force, amount, or value

also : equal in area or volume but not superposable

a square equivalent to a triangle

2

a

: like in signification or import

b

: having logical equivalence

equivalent statements

3

: corresponding or virtually identical especially in effect or function

4

obsolete : equal in might or authority

5

: having the same chemical combining capacity

equivalent quantities of two elements

6

a

: having the same solution set

equivalent equations

b

: capable of being placed in one-to-one correspondence

equivalent sets

c

: related by an equivalence relation

equivalent noun

equivalently adverb

Did you know?

Modern democracies have institutions and offices that are roughly equivalent to those found in others: the president of the United States has his British equivalent in the prime minister, for instance, and the U.S. Congress finds its equivalent in the British Parliament. The heavily armored knight on his great armored horse has been called the Middle Ages' equivalent of the army tank. In none of these examples are the two things identical to each other; they're simply very similar in their effect or purpose or nature, which is what equivalence usually implies.

Choose the Right Synonym for equivalent

same, selfsame, very, identical, equivalent, equal mean not different or not differing from one another.

same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route

derived from the selfsame source

very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

Examples of equivalent in a Sentence

Those less-known companies manufacture equivalent products at cheaper prices.

I haven't taken English 202, but I took an equivalent course at another university.

an equivalent amount of money

Recent Examples on the Web

The album moved a little less than 13,700 equivalent units in the past tracking period across the country. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

From Zero debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart dated Nov. 30, 2024, and has earned 266,000 equivalent album units to date. —Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025

Firefly's team plans to operate the 10 NASA instruments for a complete lunar day, equivalent to about 14 Earth days. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025

The brand said the carriers transported only 6,799 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of the 16,842-TEU minimum quantity commitments initially agreed upon—marking an even steeper 10,044 TEU-shortfall. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin aequivalent-, aequivalens, present participle of aequivalēre to have equal power, from Latin aequi- + valēre to be strong — more at wield

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing equivalent

• equivalent weight
• gram equivalent
• topologically equivalent

Kids Definition

equivalent

1 of 2 adjective

equiv·​a·​lent

i-ˈkwiv(-ə)-lənt

1

a

: alike or equal in number, value, or meaning

equivalent statements

b

: having the same numerical value

equivalent fractions

equivalent numerals

c

: having the same solution set

y = 2 and 2y = 4 are equivalent equations

2

: having the same effect or function

equivalent methods

3

: capable of being placed in a one-to-one correspondence

equivalent sets

equivalently adverb

equivalent

2 of 2 noun

: one that is equivalent

especially : a number (as a decimal) that is equivalent to another (as a fraction)

Medical Definition

equivalent

1 of 2 adjective

equiv·​a·​lent -lənt 

1

: corresponding or virtually identical especially in effect or function

drugs that are therapeutically equivalent

2

: having the same chemical combining capacity

equivalent quantities of two elements

equivalent

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the relative weight of an element that has the same combining capacity as a given weight of another element : the atomic weight divided by the valence

b

: the relative weight of a radical or compound that combines with a given weight of an element, radical, or compound

especially : the weight of a compound that reacts with one equivalent of a given chemical element

2

: a psychopathological symptom replacing the usual one in a given disorder

a twilight state may be an epileptic equivalent

Legal Definition

equivalent

noun

eq·​uiv·​a·​lent

: something that performs substantially the same function as another thing in substantially the same way compare aggregation, combination, invention

Note: Under patent law, a patentee may bring a claim for infringement against the inventor of an equivalent.