equality

American  

[ih-kwol-i-tee] / ɪˈkwɒl ɪ ti /

noun

equalities plural

1. the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.

   The district is implementing a college readiness plan to achieve equality of outcomes for its graduates applying to higher education programs.

   Synonyms:

   impartiality, sameness, identity, parity, equivalence

2. uniform character, as of motion or surface.

3. Mathematics.

   1. the relationship between equal quantities, as expressed in an equation.

   2. a statement that two quantities are equal; equation.

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equality British  

/ ɪˈkwɒlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of being equal

2. maths a statement, usually an equation, indicating that quantities or expressions on either side of an equal sign are equal in value

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subequality
  noun
• proequality
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• equalities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of equality

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aequālitāt- (stem of aequālitās ); see equal, -ity

Explanation

Equality is when things are the same (equal) in some particular way. You had to rethink your campaign for equality in the household when you realized this meant doing your own laundry and sharing the remote control. Equality means "the state of being equal." It's one of the ideals a democratic society, and so the fight to attain different kinds of equality, like racial equality, gender equality, or equality of opportunity between rich and poor, is often associated with progress toward that ideal of everyone being truly equal. Equality doesn't have to be used only for social ideals, though. There can be equality in weight between two barrels of apples, or between two molecules.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

equality equalities

Like many of the artists and activists being targeted today, Smith’s writings advocating peace and equality for all people made her a primary target of the state.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

Sexual equality requires the acknowledgment and maintenance of certain distinctions between men and women.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Since then, though, succession has become a surprisingly powerful engine of gender equality in Congress.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026

"I look forward to further positive and productive discussions as I continue to make the case for fairness and equality for Wales and all its communities," he said.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

A Provisional Government took the place of imperial rule in Petrograd and granted equality in law to Russian women, giving women the right to vote and to hold office.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

A Labour spokesperson said Phillipson, who is also minister for women and equalities, will work closely with deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell to modernise the party ready for the next general election.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

A self-described "proper working-class" woman, Rayner rose quickly in Westminster, taking up the women and equalities, and education briefs in the shadow cabinet of former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

"There is some dispute about the equalities act at moment," he claimed.

From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026

Perhaps the key finding in the 134 pages of legal argument in the Darlington case is that the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust misunderstood equalities law.

From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2026

Unfortunately perhaps, people are more sensitive to absolute differences between people than they are to rough equalities between them.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• civil rights
• coordination
• equal opportunity
• fairness
• identity
• impartiality
• parity
• tolerance