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

Physical evidence that ice sheets covered the interior of continents in warm equatorial regions had eluded scientists – until now. —Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024

Zoom in: The weather outlook is due in part to a developing La Niña — an area of cold ocean waters near the equatorial Pacific — which typically pushes storms farther to the north. —Kale Williams, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024

La Niña is a natural climate pattern that influences global weather marked by cooler than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024

Titan has plains, vast equatorial dunes and mountains that stretch over hundreds of kms and are thought to be composed of organic material transported to the surface from Titan’s thick, orange atmosphere. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 10 Oct. 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