The meaning of EQUIVALENT is equal in force, amount, or value; also : equal in area or volume but not superposable.

EQUIVALENT definition: 1. having the same amount, value, purpose, qualities, etc.: 2. something that has the same amount…. Learn more.

EQUIVALENT definition: equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc.. See examples of equivalent used in a sentence.

Definition of equivalent noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Something that is essentially equal to another: "The hand is not the biological equivalent of a hammer or a screwdriver; the hand is a multipurpose tool like a Swiss Army knife" (Jonathan Gottschall).

Dec 16, 2025 · In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like “A and B are equivalent”, “A is equivalent to B”, and, less commonly, “A is equivalent with B”.

Allowing him to leave prison now would be equivalent to [=would amount to, would be the same as] saying that his crime was not serious. The two products are priced equivalently. His newspaper …

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025 e•quiv•a•lent /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/ adj. having equivalence. n. [countable] something equivalent: That car cost the …

If two things are basically the same, you can say that they're the equivalent of each other. Like, studying advanced physics is the equivalent of banging your head against the wall.

If one amount or value is the equivalent of another, they are the same. Mr. Li's pay is the equivalent of about $80 a month. Equivalent is also an adjective. If they want to change an item in the budget, they …