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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an equatorial mounting for a telescope

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of equatorial

First recorded in 1655–65; equator + -ial

Vocabulary lists containing equatorial

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.

See Examples For:

“The warm pool of water in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean is expanding farther to the east,” L’Heureux said.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 9, 2026

Kelvin waves typically begin when wind patterns over the far western equatorial Pacific briefly reverse direction.

From Science Daily Jun. 15, 2026

The job is also "physically demanding", especially given the equatorial climate they are in.

From BBC Jun. 1, 2026

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns.

From Barron's May 28, 2026

I found out later that I travelled a narrow road, the Pacific equatorial counter-current.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

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