equivalent

adjective equiv·a·lent \-lənt\

: having the same value, use, meaning, etc.

Full Definition of EQUIVALENT

: equal in force, amount, or value; also : equal in area or volume but not superposable <a square equivalent to a triangle>

a : like in signification or import

b : having logical equivalence <equivalent statements>

: corresponding or virtually identical especially in effect or function

obsolete : equal in might or authority

: having the same chemical combining capacity <equivalent quantities of two elements>

a : having the same solution set <equivalent equations>

b : capable of being placed in one-to-one correspondence <equivalent sets>

c : related by an equivalence relation

— equivalent noun

— equiv·a·lent·ly adverb

See equivalent defined for English-language learners

See equivalent defined for kids

Origin of EQUIVALENT

Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin aequivalent-, aequivalens, present participle of aequivalēre to have equal power, from Latin aequi- + valēre to be strong — more at wield

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of EQUIVALENT

same, selfsame, very, identical, equivalent, equal mean not different or not differing from one another. same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things <took the same route> <derived from the selfsame source>. very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same, may imply likeness in kind <the very point I was trying to make>. identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details <identical results>. equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance <two houses equivalent in market value>. equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality <equal shares in the business>.

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with EQUIVALENT

ambivalent

EQUIVALENTLY Defined for Kids

¹equivalent

adjective equiv·a·lent \i-ˈkwi-və-lənt\

Definition of EQUIVALENT for Kids

: alike or equal in number, value, or meaning

²equivalent

noun

Definition of EQUIVALENT for Kids

: something like or equal to something else in number, value, or meaning <“And I figure that dog is the equivalent of a person and a half.” — Judy Blume, Sheila the Great>