equivalence

noun

equiv·​a·​lence i-ˈkwi-və-lən(t)s How to pronounce equivalence (audio)
-ˈkwiv-lən(t)s
1
a
: the state or property of being equivalent
b
: the relation holding between two statements if they are either both true or both false so that to affirm one and to deny the other would result in a contradiction
2
: a presentation of terms as equivalent
3
: equality in metrical value of a regular foot and one in which there are substitutions

Examples of equivalence in a Sentence

the equivalence of the two propositions moviegoers who mistakenly believe that there is an equivalence between the personality of an actor and that of his character
Recent Examples on the Web Enlarge / Leonardo da Vinci's schematics and notes for his experiment on the equivalence of gravity and acceleration. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2023 All household incomes are adjusted for size via an equivalence adjustment scale, following the Pew Research Center’s methodology. Scott Clement, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Trump has sought to link his circumstances to Biden's by trying to draw an equivalence between their conduct and calling his prosecution the result of a justice system improperly targeting Republicans. Mike Levine, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2024 In order to bring Trump down to the level of Clinton and Biden, the press is busy pushing these and other false narratives of equivalence. For Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2024 That point is implied in his calculation of the equivalence of the fine Augustus supposedly imposed on Pollio for his cruelty. Iain Murray, National Review, 16 Dec. 2023 The swaps have raised concerns that the U.S. is incentivizing hostage-taking abroad and producing a false equivalence between Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad and foreigners who have been properly prosecuted and convicted in U.S courts. Joshua Goodman, arkansasonline.com, 21 Dec. 2023 The argument of whether a team is the ‘most deserving OR best’ is a false equivalence. J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023 Such an anomaly would throw the weak equivalence principle—and, by extension, general relativity as a whole—into doubt. Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 27 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equivalence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of equivalence was circa 1541

Dictionary Entries Near equivalence

Cite this Entry

“Equivalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equivalence. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

equivalence

noun
equiv·​a·​lence i-ˈkwiv(-ə)-lən(t)s How to pronounce equivalence (audio)
: the quality or state of being equivalent

Medical Definition

equivalence

noun
equiv·​a·​lence i-ˈkwiv(-ə)-lən(t)s How to pronounce equivalence (audio)
: the state or property of being equivalent

More from Merriam-Webster on equivalence

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