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
Examples of equatorial in a Sentence
a lush equatorial rain forest that is threatened by rampant development
Recent Examples on the Web
In the photo, there's a line around the moon's equator that resembles the equatorial trench around the Death Star.
—
Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
This happened probably around two million years ago when humans became active runners and walkers in hot, open environments in equatorial Africa, says Nina Jablonski, Atherton Professor and Evan Pugh University Professor of Anthropology, Emerita, at The Pennsylvania State University.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
Parts of the dense, equatorial mainland, as well as the islands that lay off the shore of the nascent capital, Cayenne, would be turned into labor camps and prisons for the most serious criminal offenders in mainland France.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
Copernicus What's causing the warming? Since last summer, the recent short-term spike in global temperatures has been fueled primarily by the El Niño event in the equatorial eastern Pacific.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for equatorial 
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.
Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
This happened probably around two million years ago when humans became active runners and walkers in hot, open environments in equatorial Africa, says Nina Jablonski, Atherton Professor and Evan Pugh University Professor of Anthropology, Emerita, at The Pennsylvania State University.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
Parts of the dense, equatorial mainland, as well as the islands that lay off the shore of the nascent capital, Cayenne, would be turned into labor camps and prisons for the most serious criminal offenders in mainland France.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024
Copernicus What's causing the warming? Since last summer, the recent short-term spike in global temperatures has been fueled primarily by the El Niño event in the equatorial eastern Pacific.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for equatorial
Dictionary Entries Near equatorial
Cite this Entry
“Equatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equatorial. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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-
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share