equator
noun
equa·tor
i-ˈkwā-tər 
ˈē-ˌkwā-
1
: the great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is perpendicular to the axis of the earth
2
: a great circle of the earth or a celestial body that is everywhere equally distant from the two poles and divides the surface into the northern and southern hemispheres
3
a
: a circle or circular band dividing the surface of a body into two usually equal and symmetrical parts
b
: equatorial plane
the equator of a dividing cell
4
Examples of equator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Storm warning on Jupiter A huge storm on Jupiter broke out in December of 2016, just south of the planet's equator and about 60 degrees east of the famous Great Red Spot.
—
Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Anywhere along Earth’s equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025
During the equinox in March and September — the intermediate points between the summer and winter solstices — the sun lies directly over Earth's equator.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The first day of spring represents the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, an astronomical event that occurs when the sun aligns with the Earth's equator.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equator
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Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Anywhere along Earth’s equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025
During the equinox in March and September — the intermediate points between the summer and winter solstices — the sun lies directly over Earth's equator.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The first day of spring represents the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, an astronomical event that occurs when the sun aligns with the Earth's equator.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equator
Cite this Entry
“Equator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equator. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
equator
noun
equa·tor
i-ˈkwāt-ər
ˈē-ˌkwāt-
: an imaginary circle around the earth everywhere equally distant from the north pole and the south pole
Medical Definition
equator
noun
equa·tor
i-ˈkwāt-ər
ˈē-ˌ
ˈē-ˌ
1
: a circle or circular band dividing the surface of a body into two usually equal and symmetrical parts especially at the place of greatest width
the equator of the lens of the eye
2
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