equatorial

adjective

equa·​to·​ri·​al ˌē-kwə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

ˌe-kwə-

1

a

: of, relating to, or located at the equator or an equator

also : being in the plane of the equator

a satellite in equatorial orbit

b

: of, originating in, or suggesting the region around the geographic equator

2

a

: being or having a support that includes two axles at right angles to each other with one parallel to the earth's axis of rotation

an equatorial telescope mount

b

: extending in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane)

equatorial hydrogens

compare axial

Synonyms

• low
• tropical

Examples of equatorial in a Sentence

a lush equatorial rain forest that is threatened by rampant development

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, equatorial countries that account for two-thirds of the global cocoa supply saw record rainfall. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Sep. 2024

While not as prominent as in the Southern Hemisphere or equatorial regions, Arizona still offers opportunities to witness the Eta Aquariids. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

Under these fluorescents, Kev is capable of re-creating equatorial conditions for his family away from family: Cuban Black Haze plants. —Jay Bulger, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2024

When astronomers simulate this kind of capture, the moons never end up in the orbits that Deimos and Phobos have today, which are both approximately equatorial. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing equatorial

• equatorial plane
• equatorial plate

Kids Definition

equatorial

adjective

equa·​to·​ri·​al ˌē-kwə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

ˌek-wə-,

-ˈtȯr-

1

: of, relating to, or located at the equator

2

: of, originating in, or suggesting the region around the equator

equatorial heat

Medical Definition

equatorial

adjective

equa·​to·​ri·​al ˌē-kwə-ˈtōr-ē-əl  ˌek-wə- 

-ˈtȯr-

1

: of, located at, or relating to an equator

equatorial diameter

2

: extending in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane)

equatorial hydrogen atoms

compare axial sense 2b