Word
equation
Phoneticsequa·tion
US/ɪˈkweɪʒən/
UK/ɪkwˈeɪʒən/
Definitions
01mathematics
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Mathematics
n. a mathematical statement that shows two amounts are equal using an equals sign (=).
n. a formal statement of equality between two mathematical expressions, typically containing one or more variables.
“The students spent the afternoon solving a difficult algebra equation.”
“The physicist derived a complex differential equation to model the fluid dynamics of the cooling system.”
Usage
Countable; often used with the verbs 'solve', 'balance', or 'derive'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02balancing factors
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a situation where you must consider several different things to find a solution or understand a problem.
n. a complex situation or set of variables that must be balanced or considered as a whole.
“Money is only one part of the equation when you are choosing a new job.”
“When planning urban expansion, environmental preservation must remain a central part of the equation.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'part of the equation'.
03equating things
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the act of treating two different things as if they are the same.
n. the process of equating two or more elements or the state of being equal.
“The equation of wealth with happiness is a common mistake in modern society.”
“The author's simplistic equation of political dissent with treason was widely criticised by civil rights advocates.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04astronomical correction
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. a small change made to a measurement to fix a regular error.
n. a small correction applied to observed values to compensate for systematic errors or variations.
“The scientist applied a time equation to the data to get a more accurate result.”
“The equation of time accounts for the discrepancy between apparent solar time and mean solar time throughout the calendar year.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “equation” in context.
Verb
01. balance the equation
“In chemistry class, we learned how to balance the chemical equation for photosynthesis.”
verb + noun
02. enter the equation
“When children enter the equation, financial planning becomes much more complex.”
verb + noun
03. remove from the equation
“If you remove the cost of labor from the equation, the project is actually quite affordable.”
verb + prep + noun
04. solve the equation
“Students were asked to solve the quadratic equation using the formula provided.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. complex equation
“The geopolitical situation is a complex equation involving history, religion, and resources.”
adj + noun
06. differential equation
“The engineer used a differential equation to model the rate of heat transfer.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. part of the equation
“Technical skill is only one part of the equation; you also need emotional intelligence.”
noun + of + noun
08. side of the equation
“We need to look at the supply side of the equation to understand the price hike.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Part of the equation remains what we cannot see: the chemistry within a team, the relationship with a specific coach, playing in a system that brings out the best in every player.” “His fee, however, illustrates how quickly the equation can change once a teenager proves himself at senior level.” “That could be because adding money to the equation makes it feel like “there’s actually a hard deadline,” said ChoGlueck.” Etymology
From Old French, from Latin aequātiō (“an equalizing”). Morphologically equate + -ion
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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