equation

noun

equa·​tion i-ˈkwā-zhən 

 also  -shən

1

a

: the act or process of equating

b(1)

: an element affecting a process : factor

(2)

: a complex of variable factors

c

: a state of being equated

specifically : a state of close association or identification

bring governmental enterprises and payment for them into immediate equation

—R. G. Tugwell

2

a

: a usually formal statement of the equality or equivalence of mathematical or logical expressions

b

: an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively by means of chemical symbols

Examples of equation in a Sentence

the equation of material wealth with happiness

Recent Examples on the Web

At Wegmans Food Markets, the No. 3 large company on the Fortune Best Workplaces in New York™ List, work life flexibility has always been part of the equation and a key reason the retailer says candidates choose Wegmans. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 June 2024

The manager piece of the equation is especially crucial. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 13 June 2024

Inflation has been blamed on various factors on both the supply and demand sides of the equation. —Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 June 2024

Users will be able to go beyond basic math problems to use functions from the scientific calculator, such as logarithmic equations. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing equation

• characteristic equation
• cubic equation
• differential equation
• Diophantine equation
• enter (into) the equation
• equation of time
• linear equation
• parametric equation
• partial differential equation
• personal equation
• quadratic equation
• Schrödinger equation
• simple equation
• wave equation

Kids Definition

equation

noun

equa·​tion i-ˈkwā-zhən 

 also  -shən

1

: the act or process of equating : the state of being equated

2

a

: a statement of the equality of two mathematical expressions

b

: an expression involving chemical symbols for a chemical reaction

Medical Definition

equation

noun

equa·​tion

i-ˈkwā-zhən also -shən

: an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively by means of chemical symbols