equivalent

[ ih-kwiv-uh-luhnt ee-kwuh-vey-luhnt ]

adjective

1. equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc.:

   His silence is equivalent to an admission of guilt.

2. corresponding in position, function, etc.:

   In some ways their prime minister is equivalent to our president.

3. Geometry. having the same extent, as a triangle and a square of equal area.
4. Mathematics. (of two sets) able to be placed in one-to-one correspondence.
5. Chemistry. having the same capacity to combine or react chemically.

noun

1. something that is equivalent.

equivalent

/ ɪˈkwɪvələnt /

adjective

1. equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, significance, etc
2. having the same or a similar effect or meaning
3. maths
   1. having a particular property in common; equal
   2. (of two equations or inequalities) having the same set of solutions
   3. (of two sets) having the same cardinal number
4. maths logic (of two propositions) having an equivalence between them

noun

1. something that is equivalent
2. short for equivalent weight

equivalent

/ ĭ-kwĭv′ə-lənt /

1. Equal, as in value, meaning, or force.
2. 1. Of or relating to a relation between two elements that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
   2. Having a one-to-one correspondence, as between parts. Two triangles having the same area are equivalent, as are two congruent geometric figures.

Derived Forms

• eˈquivalently, adverb

Other Words From

• e·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• none·quiva·lent adjective noun
• none·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• quasi-e·quiva·lent adjective
• quasi-e·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• super·e·quiva·lent adjective noun
• une·quiva·lent adjective
• une·quiva·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalent¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin aequivalent- (stem of aequivalēns ), present participle of aequivalēre. See equi-, -valent

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalent¹

C15: from Late Latin aequivalēns, from aequivalēre to be equally significant, from Latin aequi- equi- + valēre to be worth

Synonym Study

See equal.

Example Sentences

She was losing so much blood that she needed the equivalent of around three people's blood volume given back to her, says NHS Blood and Transplant.

From BBC

Those whales share an increasingly busy ocean with shippers, whose vessels travel the equivalent of more than 4,600 times the distance to the Moon and back each year, the scientists estimated.

From Salon

Luckily, some class equivalent to Principles of Economics is offered on every college campus, including at your local community college.

From Los Angeles Times

Depending on the condition of the bill, he charges two to three shekels, the equivalent of 55-82 cents.

From Los Angeles Times

They argued that his order violated the constitution, which says that the president can only declare martial law during wartime or a crisis of equivalent gravity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commensurate
• comparable
• corresponding
• equal
• identical
• proportionate
• tantamount