equivalent

American  

[ih-kwiv-uh-luhnt, ee-kwuh-vey-luhnt] / ɪˈkwɪv ə lənt, ˌi kwəˈveɪ lənt /

adjective

1. equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc..

   His silence is equivalent to an admission of guilt.

2. corresponding in position, function, etc..

   In some ways their prime minister is equivalent to our president.

3. Geometry. having the same extent, as a triangle and a square of equal area.

4. Mathematics. (of two sets) able to be placed in one-to-one correspondence.

5. Chemistry. having the same capacity to combine or react chemically.

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noun

1. something that is equivalent.

equivalent British  

/ ɪˈkwɪvələnt /

adjective

1. equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, significance, etc

2. having the same or a similar effect or meaning

3. maths

   1. having a particular property in common; equal

   2. (of two equations or inequalities) having the same set of solutions

   3. (of two sets) having the same cardinal number

4. maths logic (of two propositions) having an equivalence between them

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noun

1. something that is equivalent

2. short for equivalent weight

equivalent Scientific  

/ ĭ-kwĭv′ə-lənt /

1. Equal, as in value, meaning, or force.

2. 1. Of or relating to a relation between two elements that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.

   2. Having a one-to-one correspondence, as between parts. Two triangles having the same area are equivalent, as are two congruent geometric figures.

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Synonym Usage

See equal.

Other Word Forms

• equivalently
  adverb
• nonequivalent
  adjective
• nonequivalently
  adverb
• quasi-equivalent
  adjective
• quasi-equivalently
  adverb
• superequivalent
  adjective
• unequivalent
  adjective
• unequivalently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of equivalent

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin aequivalent- (stem of aequivalēns ), present participle of aequivalēre. See equi-, -valent

Explanation

If two things are basically the same, you can say that they're the equivalent of each other. Like, studying advanced physics is the equivalent of banging your head against the wall. Equivalent's Latin roots are "equal" and "value," which suggests that the word originally was used to describe things that had the same value. Now it can be used to describe things that have the same effect, or importance, or role — for example, "England's Parliament is the equivalent of America's Congress." It can also be used as an adjective: "Eating a bowl of Sugar Pops for breakfast is equivalent to starting your day with two scoops of ice-cream."

Example Sentences

That’s more than three times the equivalent from the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and twice as much revenue per game.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

While the women's tour is not expected to mirror the men's equivalent, speculation will now turn to the coaching team Yapp will build around her.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Of the 37 analysts tracked by FactSet, 86% rate the stock the equivalent of a Buy.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Information technology underpins nearly every critical function of modern society, yet still lacks equivalent professional frameworks.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

I had to study many subjects and get passing grades to get to the equivalent of high school.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Related Words

• commensurate
• comparable
• corresponding
• equal
• identical
• proportionate
• tantamount