What does "equip" mean?

1. (to provide tools) to give someone the tools or equipment they need for a job or activity. 2. (to prepare with skills) to give someone the knowledge or skills they need to succeed. 3. (gaming gear) the items or weapons a character carries in a video game.

How do you use "equip"?

Used as an uncountable noun in gaming jargon; standard English requires 'equipment'.

equip

v. · n.

US //ɪˈkwɪp// UK //ɪkwˈɪp// equip

1 to provide tools (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to give someone the tools or equipment they need for a job or activity.

to supply with the necessary items or implements for a particular purpose. Transitive; typically takes a direct object and often follows the pattern 'equip someone with something'.

Example

The school will equip every student with a new laptop for the semester.

Example

The expedition leaders took great care to equip the team with specialized gear designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of the high altitude.
- strip
- divest
2 to prepare with skills (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

to give someone the knowledge or skills they need to succeed.

to prepare someone mentally or intellectually for a task or situation. Often used in educational or professional development contexts.

Example

This course aims to equip you with the skills needed for a career in marketing.

Example

The university curriculum is designed to equip graduates with the critical thinking abilities necessary to navigate a rapidly changing job market.

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3 gaming gear (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Informal Computing

the items or weapons a character carries in a video game.

a shortened, uncountable form of 'equipment' used specifically within gaming communities to refer to a character's inventory or gear.

Example

I need to find better equip before I try to fight the final boss.

Example

The player spent hours grinding for legendary equip to ensure their character could survive the high-level raid.

Usage

Used as an uncountable noun in gaming jargon; standard English requires 'equipment'.
- gear
- loot
- loadout

Origin

From French équiper (“to supply, fit out”), originally said of a ship, Old French esquiper (“to embark”); of Germanic origin, most probably from Old Norse skipa (“to man (a ship)”), from Proto-Germanic *skipōną (“to ship, sail, embark”). Compare with Middle High German schipfen, German schiffern, Icelandic skipa, Old English scipian. Doublet of ship.