equatorial
adjective
equa·to·ri·al
ˌē-kwə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 
ˌe-kwə-
1
a
: of, relating to, or located at the equator or an equator
also
: being in the plane of the equator
a satellite in equatorial orbit
b
: of, originating in, or suggesting the region around the geographic equator
2
a
: being or having a support that includes two axles at right angles to each other with one parallel to the earth's axis of rotation
an equatorial telescope mount
b
: extending in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane)
equatorial hydrogens
compare axial
Examples of equatorial in a Sentence
a lush equatorial rain forest that is threatened by rampant development
Recent Examples on the Web
Unusual bone bed reveals a vertebrate community with pterosaurs and turtles in equatorial Pangaea before the end-Triassic extinction
Rosie McCall is a freelance writer living in London.
—
Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025
Thus, the beasts have retreated to a narrow equatorial band more reminiscent of their prehistoric environment, and are largely congregating on one remote island off the coast of French Guiana.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the movie sees an expedition brave isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Unusual bone bed reveals a vertebrate community with pterosaurs and turtles in equatorial Pangaea before the end-Triassic extinction.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for equatorial
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Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025
Thus, the beasts have retreated to a narrow equatorial band more reminiscent of their prehistoric environment, and are largely congregating on one remote island off the coast of French Guiana.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the movie sees an expedition brave isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Unusual bone bed reveals a vertebrate community with pterosaurs and turtles in equatorial Pangaea before the end-Triassic extinction.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for equatorial
Cite this Entry
“Equatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equatorial. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
equatorial
adjective
equa·to·ri·al
ˌē-kwə-ˈtōr-ē-əl
ˌek-wə-,
-ˈtȯr-
1
: of, relating to, or located at the equator
2
: of, originating in, or suggesting the region around the equator
equatorial heat
Medical Definition
equatorial
adjective
equa·to·ri·al
ˌē-kwə-ˈtōr-ē-əl
ˌek-wə-
ˌek-wə-
-ˈtȯr-
1
: of, located at, or relating to an equator
equatorial diameter
2
: extending in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane)
equatorial hydrogen atoms
compare axial sense 2b
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