equality

American  

[ih-kwol-i-tee] / ɪˈkwɒl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

equalities

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

• proequality adjective
• subequality noun

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

Kendi is an avatar for the battered and bruised fight for racial equality in this country.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

She’s been on something of a tear on X recently, railing against the alleged societal destruction that women’s equality has wrought.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

But they also taught a message of equality of all people before God, a radical idea when it was introduced to Korea in the late 19th century.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

In 2024, Kick It Out started a campaign to combat sexism in football and the Football Association launched a four-year equality, diversity and inclusion strategy.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

She believed this critique was essential to getting equality between the sexes.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

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