equatorial
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or near an equator, especially the equator of the earth.
-
of, like, or typical of the regions at the earth's equator.
equatorial temperatures.
noun
-
a telescope mounting having two axes of motion, one parallel to the earth's axis and one at right angles to it.
-
Also called equatorial instrument. Also called equatorial telescope. a telescope with such a mounting.
adjective
-
of, like, or existing at or near the equator
-
astronautics (of a telescope) mounted on the perpendicular axes, one of which is parallel to the earth's axis
an equatorial orbit
-
astronomy of or referring to the celestial equator
equatorial coordinates
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of equatorial
Vocabulary lists containing equatorial
South America - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
South America - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
South America - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The storm comes as a powerful El Nino has formed in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
Reaching that threshold requires temperatures in the equatorial Pacific to be at least 3.6 degrees above baseline.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
They combined those findings with previously published evidence from the equatorial Atlantic, the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
The government last month said the severe weather events were due to this year's El Nino weather phenomenon, which warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
Sweating in the equatorial sun, some of the researchers admiringly fingered the plump, pendulous green fruit, each the size of a baby’s head, wrapped in clusters around the trees’ sturdy trunks.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
