equivalent
[ ih-kwiv-uh-luh nt or for 5, ee-kwuh-vey-luh nt ]
/ ɪˈkwɪv ə lənt or for 5, ˌi kwəˈveɪ lənt /
adjective
equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc.: His silence is equivalent to an admission of guilt.
corresponding in position, function, etc.: In some ways their prime minister is equivalent to our president.
Geometry. having the same extent, as a triangle and a square of equal area.
Mathematics. (of two sets) able to be placed in one-to-one correspondence.
Chemistry. having the same capacity to combine or react chemically.
noun
something that is equivalent.
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Origin of equivalent
Related forms
Can be confusedequivalent equivocal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for equivalent
British Dictionary definitions for equivalent
equivalent
/ (ɪˈkwɪvələnt) /
adjective
equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, significance, etc
having the same or a similar effect or meaning
maths
- having a particular property in common; equal
- (of two equations or inequalities) having the same set of solutions
- (of two sets) having the same cardinal number
maths logic (of two propositions) having an equivalence between them
noun
something that is equivalent
short for equivalent weight
Derived Formsequivalently, adverb
Word Origin for equivalent
C15: from Late Latin aequivalēns, from aequivalēre to be equally significant, from Latin aequi- equi- + valēre to be worth
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
Word Origin and History for equivalent
equivalent
early 15c., from Middle French equivalent and directly from Late Latin aequivalentem (nominative aequivalens) "equivalent," present participle of aequivalere "be equivalent," from Latin aequus "equal" (see equal) + valere "be well, be worth" (see valiant). As a noun from c.1500.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for equivalent
equivalent
[ ĭ-kwĭv′ə-lənt ]
adj.
Equal, as in value, force, or meaning.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for equivalent
equivalent
[ ĭ-kwĭv′ə-lənt ]
Equal, as in value, meaning, or force.
- Of or relating to a relation between two elements that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
- Having a one-to-one correspondence, as between parts. Two triangles having the same area are equivalent, as are two congruent geometric figures.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.