equator

American  

[ih-kwey-ter] / ɪˈkweɪ tər /

noun

1. the great circle on a sphere or heavenly body whose plane is perpendicular to the axis, equidistant everywhere from the two poles of the sphere or heavenly body.

2. the great circle of the earth that is equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole.

3. a circle separating a surface into two congruent parts.

4. celestial equator.

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equator British  

/ ɪˈkweɪtə /

noun

1. the great circle of the earth with a latitude of 0°, lying equidistant from the poles; dividing the N and S hemispheres

2. a circle dividing a sphere or other surface into two equal symmetrical parts

3. See magnetic equator

4. astronomy See celestial equator

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equator Scientific  

/ ĭ-kwā′tər /

1. An imaginary line forming a great circle around the Earth's surface, equidistant from the poles and in a plane perpendicular to the Earth's axis of rotation. It divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres and is the basis from which latitude is measured.

2. A similar circle on the surface of any celestial body.

3. The celestial equator.

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equator Cultural  

1. An imaginary circle around the Earth, equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole.

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Etymology

Origin of equator

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin aequātor, Latin: equalizer (of day and night, as when the sun crosses the equator). See equate, -tor

Example Sentences

That last requirement eliminates countries near the equator, including those in Southeast Asia and much of South America.

From MarketWatch

During the peak of the storm, the Sun's activity compressed Earth's magnetic field so strongly that charged particles were able to travel much farther along magnetic field lines toward the equator.

From Science Daily

Since 2011, scientists have tracked the recurring appearance of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, a massive band of gulfweed that moves from the equator toward the Caribbean during periods of strong easterly winds.

From Science Daily

The UK is currently sitting to the south of these winds and is tapping into air originating in the Azores, close to the equator.

From BBC

Near the equator, though, the pattern flips across a wide area, creating a striking difference between the two zones.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• ring
• sphere