equator

• æquator (obsolete)
• equatour (obsolete, rare)

From Late Latin (circulus) aequator (diei et noctis).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪˈkweɪ.tə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪˈkweɪ.tɚ/, /iˈkweɪ.tɚ/

• Audio (UK)

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• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -eɪtə(r)

equator (plural equators)

1. (geography, often “the Equator”) An imaginary great circle around the Earth, equidistant from the two poles, and dividing earth's surface into the northern and southern hemisphere.
   • 2018, VOA Learning English > China's Melting Glacier Brings Visitors, Adds to Climate Concerns

     Baishui is about as close to the equator as Tampa, Florida.

2. (astronomy) A similar great circle on any sphere, especially on a celestial body, or on other reasonably symmetrical three-dimensional body.
3. The midline of any generally spherical object, such as a fruit or vegetable, that has identifiable poles.

   Slice the onion through the equator.

4. The celestial equator.

• quorate