equator — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An imaginary great circle around Earth, equidistant from the two poles, and dividing earth's surface into the northern and southern hemispheres.

   Examples

   Baishui is about as close to the equator as Tampa, Florida.

2. A similar great circle on any sphere, especially on a celestial body, or on another reasonably symmetrical three-dimensional body.

3. The midline of any generally spherical object, such as a fruit or vegetable, that has identifiable poles.

   Examples

   Slice the onion through the equator.

4. The celestial equator.

Noun

1. an imaginary line around the Earth forming the great circle that is equidistant from the north and south poles

   Broader terms

   great circle

   Examples

   the equator is the boundary between the northern and Southern Hemispheres

2. a circle dividing a sphere or other surface into two usually equal and symmetrical parts

   Broader terms

   circle