equality

American  

[ih-kwol-i-tee] / ɪˈkwɒl ɪ ti /

noun

• equalities
  plural

1. the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.

   The district is implementing a college readiness plan to achieve equality of outcomes for its graduates applying to higher education programs.

   Synonyms:

   impartiality, sameness, identity, parity, equivalence

2. uniform character, as of motion or surface.

3. Mathematics.

   1. the relationship between equal quantities, as expressed in an equation.

   2. a statement that two quantities are equal; equation.

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equality British  

/ ɪˈkwɒlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of being equal

2. maths a statement, usually an equation, indicating that quantities or expressions on either side of an equal sign are equal in value

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subequality
  noun
• proequality
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• equalities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of equality

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aequālitāt- (stem of aequālitās ); see equal, -ity

Explanation

Equality is when things are the same (equal) in some particular way. You had to rethink your campaign for equality in the household when you realized this meant doing your own laundry and sharing the remote control. Equality means "the state of being equal." It's one of the ideals a democratic society, and so the fight to attain different kinds of equality, like racial equality, gender equality, or equality of opportunity between rich and poor, is often associated with progress toward that ideal of everyone being truly equal. Equality doesn't have to be used only for social ideals, though. There can be equality in weight between two barrels of apples, or between two molecules.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

equality equalities

But for law professor Anna Gamper of the University of Innsbruck, this system raises serious questions about equality.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

More recently, the fight for marriage equality in Obergefell and even gun rights in Heller.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

Previously, this accounted for how companies created social value through measures such as equality and diversity, net zero and the post-Covid recovery.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

Apart from his political advocacy, Robinson pushed for African-American entrepreneurship, which he believed was necessary for true equality.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

At issue was nothing less than the path black Americans should take in their search for dignity, equality, and prosperity.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Marie Goldman, Lib Dem MP for Chelmsford and spokesperson for women and equalities, said that growing up in Devon, teachers told her to tone down her West Country accent for Bible readings.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

NI has different equalities laws from the rest of the UK so the NI Equality Commission is seeking a High Court ruling on how that Supreme Court ruling should be interpreted.

From BBC ● May 15, 2026

A self-described "proper working-class" woman, Rayner rose quickly in Westminster, taking up the women and equalities, and education briefs in the shadow cabinet of former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

It follows a Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman in equalities law in April last year.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

Unfortunately perhaps, people are more sensitive to absolute differences between people than they are to rough equalities between them.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• civil rights
• coordination
• equal opportunity
• fairness
• identity
• impartiality
• parity
• tolerance