equatorial
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or near an equator, especially the equator of the earth.
-
of, like, or typical of the regions at the earth's equator.
equatorial temperatures.
noun
-
a telescope mounting having two axes of motion, one parallel to the earth's axis and one at right angles to it.
-
Also called equatorial instrument. Also called equatorial telescope. a telescope with such a mounting.
adjective
-
of, like, or existing at or near the equator
-
astronautics (of a telescope) mounted on the perpendicular axes, one of which is parallel to the earth's axis
an equatorial orbit
-
astronomy of or referring to the celestial equator
equatorial coordinates
noun
Other Word Forms
- equatorially adverb
- nonequatorial adjective
- nonequatorially adverb
- transequatorial adjective
- transequatorially adverb
- unequatorial adjective
Etymology
Origin of equatorial
Vocabulary lists containing equatorial
South America - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
South America - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
South America - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The term refers to warmer-than-average waters along the equatorial Pacific that can influence weather across the globe, raising the odds of searing drought in some regions and torrential rain in others.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
La Niña typically brings wetter conditions to parts of Australia, Indonesia and equatorial South America, and drier conditions to the southern United States.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
La Nina is a naturally occurring climate pattern that cools surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025
The authors compared their work with imagery of Mars in the equatorial southern highlands, which is heavily cratered but also full of valley networks.
From Salon • May 16, 2025
I had the great luck one summer of studying the three-toed sloth in situ in the equatorial jungles of Brazil.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
