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
Recent La Niña conditions in the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean have ended with neutral conditions -- meaning no La Niña or El Niño -- now in place.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 May 2025
El Niño, the warmer half of the cycle, is often linked to conditions in a section of the equatorial Pacific that disfavor hurricanes, while La Niña, the colder inverse, is considered more conducive to hurricane formation.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 May 2025
From equatorial locations such as Singapore, Nairobi or Quito, Venus and Saturn will be higher in the sky at sunrise.
—Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Secondly, sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Atlantic where hurricanes brew are forecast to be near normal.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equatorial
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 May 2025
El Niño, the warmer half of the cycle, is often linked to conditions in a section of the equatorial Pacific that disfavor hurricanes, while La Niña, the colder inverse, is considered more conducive to hurricane formation.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 May 2025
From equatorial locations such as Singapore, Nairobi or Quito, Venus and Saturn will be higher in the sky at sunrise.
—Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Secondly, sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Atlantic where hurricanes brew are forecast to be near normal.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 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 10 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share