English Reference
noun

equality

n.
US /ɪˈkwɑɫəti/ UK /iːkwˈɒlɪti/ equal·i·ty UK spelling equalities, equality's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the situation where everyone in a society has the same rights and opportunities.

    the principle or state of social justice where all people are treated the same regardless of race, gender, or status.

    Simple

    The government is passing new laws to promote gender equality in the workplace.

    In context

    The civil rights movement fought tirelessly for racial equality, seeking to dismantle systemic barriers in education and employment.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'of'.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Math

    the fact of two amounts or values being exactly the same.

    the state of being mathematically or logically identical in value, amount, or function.

    Simple

    The equation shows the equality of the two sides.

    In context

    In this proof, we must first establish the equality of the two variables before proceeding to the next step of the calculation.

    Usage

    In technical contexts, this is often an uncountable noun.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'equality' is common in social contexts, in math it specifically refers to the relationship between two expressions that represent the same value.

Usage gender equality

A further reason to enshrine a right to work from home is to promote gender equality.

Phys.org· 18 Aug 2026

Shared caregiving also contributes to greater gender equality within households, one of the broader social conditions associated with lower levels of violence against women.

Phys.org· 18 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated