equatorial

American  

[ee-kwuh-tawr-ee-uhl, ek-wuh-] / ˌi kwəˈtɔr i əl, ˌɛk wə- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or near an equator, especially the equator of the earth.

2. of, like, or typical of the regions at the earth's equator.

   equatorial temperatures.

---

noun

1. a telescope mounting having two axes of motion, one parallel to the earth's axis and one at right angles to it.

2. Also called equatorial instrument.  Also called equatorial telescope.  a telescope with such a mounting.

equatorial British  

/ ˌɛkwəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of, like, or existing at or near the equator

2. astronautics (of a telescope) mounted on the perpendicular axes, one of which is parallel to the earth's axis

   an equatorial orbit

3. astronomy of or referring to the celestial equator

   equatorial coordinates

---

noun

1. an equatorial mounting for a telescope

Other Word Forms

• equatorially adverb
• nonequatorial adjective
• nonequatorially adverb
• transequatorial adjective
• transequatorially adverb
• unequatorial adjective

Etymology

Origin of equatorial

First recorded in 1655–65; equator + -ial

Example Sentences

Stronger geomagnetic storms allow the lights to reach increasingly equatorial regions.

From Science Daily

According to the researchers in Mainz, monitoring wind conditions, sea surface temperatures, and associated upwelling patterns in the equatorial Atlantic can help refine predictions of future Sargassum growth.

From Science Daily

The weather service's Varilla said that higher numbers of cyclones typically accompany La Nina, a naturally occurring climate pattern that cools surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

From Barron's

La Nina is a naturally occurring climate pattern that cools surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

From Barron's

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