What does "equivalent" mean?

1. (equal thing) a person or thing that has the same value, purpose, or effect as something else. 2. (equal in value) having the same amount, value, or importance as something else. 3. (mathematics/logic) describing two things that mean the same thing or result in the same value in math or logic. 4. (chemistry) the specific amount of a substance that reacts with a fixed amount of another substance.

How do you use "equivalent"?

often followed by the preposition 'to'

equivalent

n. · adj.

US //ɪˈkwɪvəɫənt// UK //ɪkwˈɪvələnt// equiv·a·lent

1 equal thing (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a person or thing that has the same value, purpose, or effect as something else.

a person or thing that is equal to or corresponds with another in value, amount, function, or meaning.

Example

The price of the car is the equivalent of a whole year's salary.

Example

In many ways, the local council is the administrative equivalent of a small parliament, managing budgets and public services for the entire region.
- opposite
- reverse
2 equal in value (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

having the same amount, value, or importance as something else.

equal in value, measure, force, effect, or significance.

Example

Eight kilometres is roughly equivalent to five miles.

Example

The company offered a compensation package equivalent to six months of the employee's base salary.

Usage

often followed by the preposition 'to'

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3 mathematics/logic (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Academic Math

describing two things that mean the same thing or result in the same value in math or logic.

relating to sets with a one-to-one correspondence or logical statements that are true under the same conditions.

Example

In this equation, the two expressions are equivalent.

Example

The professor demonstrated that the two logical propositions were equivalent, meaning that if one is true, the other must also be true.
- isomorphic
- congruent
4 chemistry (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

the specific amount of a substance that reacts with a fixed amount of another substance.

the mass of a given substance which will combine with or displace a fixed quantity of another substance.

Example

The student calculated the chemical equivalent of the acid used in the experiment.

Example

Determining the electrochemical equivalent is essential for predicting the mass of a substance liberated during electrolysis.
- equivalent weight

Origin

From Latin aequivalentem, accusative singular of aequivalēns, present active participle of aequivaleō (“I am equivalent, have equal power”). By surface analysis, equi- + -valent. Mostly displaced native Middle English efenmete (See evenmete).