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
The equatorial region to the westward side of the lunar disk is dominated by Oceanus Procellarum (the Ocean of Storms), with Mare Imbrium (the Sea of Showers) to the north and Mare Nubium (the Sea of Clouds) to the south.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
In today’s world, glacial ice can persist in equatorial regions such as the Andes and Indonesia, but only on mountainous slopes several miles above sea level.
—Laura Poppick
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Squid runs are typical during La Niña years, in which the predominant climatic pattern over the equatorial Pacific is cooler than average.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for equatorial
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
In today’s world, glacial ice can persist in equatorial regions such as the Andes and Indonesia, but only on mountainous slopes several miles above sea level.
—Laura Poppick
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Squid runs are typical during La Niña years, in which the predominant climatic pattern over the equatorial Pacific is cooler than average.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for equatorial
Cite this Entry
“Equatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equatorial. Accessed 6 Aug. 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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