equality

noun

equal·​i·​ty i-ˈkwä-lə-tē How to pronounce equality (audio)
plural equalities
Synonyms of equalitynext
1
: the quality or state of being equal
2

Examples of equality in a Sentence

the ideals of liberty and equality it's absurd to suggest that there's an equality in the evil committed by the Nazis and the crimes of the government of that Asian country
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Like the Fourteenth Amendment more generally, the citizenship clause was a guarantee of equality. David Cole, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 The Texas Rangers Baseball Club stands for equality. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026 Its Ten-Point Plan calls for a secular democratic republic, a non-nuclear Iran, gender equality, separation of religion and state, a free-market economy, peaceful coexistence with the world, and recognition of the rights of Iran’s diverse nationalities within a unified country. Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026 Having previously curated the Cinéma du réel festival in Paris and EntreVues Belfort International Festival, Hinstin helped Locarno ramp up gender equality as female directors represented almost 40% of the selection in 2019. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equality

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of equality was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Equality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equality. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

equality

noun
equal·​i·​ty i-ˈkwäl-ət-ē How to pronounce equality (audio)
plural equalities
: the quality, fact, or state of being equal

Legal Definition

equality

noun
equal·​i·​ty
: the quality or state of being equal: as
a
: sameness or equivalence in number, quantity, or measure
b
: likeness or sameness in quality, power, status, or degree

More from Merriam-Webster on equality

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster