the equator
noun
: an imaginary circle around the middle of the Earth that is the same distance from the North Pole and the South Pole
The city of Quito, Ecuador, lies very close to the equator.
Examples of the equator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During normal conditions, trade winds blowing west along the equator take warm water from South America toward Asia.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The cycle swings between warmer and cooler seawater in a region along the equator in the tropical Pacific.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
The resulting geomagnetic storm caused minor disruptions to telegraph systems, and auroras were seen at the equator.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
The present-day planet proved to be inhospitable to the prehistoric ilk, except for a small region in the tropics around the equator, where many of them now congregate.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the equator 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The cycle swings between warmer and cooler seawater in a region along the equator in the tropical Pacific.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
The resulting geomagnetic storm caused minor disruptions to telegraph systems, and auroras were seen at the equator.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
The present-day planet proved to be inhospitable to the prehistoric ilk, except for a small region in the tropics around the equator, where many of them now congregate.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the equator
Dictionary Entries Near the equator
Cite this Entry
“The equator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20equator. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share