equation

noun

Synonyms of equationnext
1
a
: the act or process of equating
b(1)
: an element affecting a process : factor
(2)
: a complex of variable factors
c
: a state of being equated
specifically : a state of close association or identification
To bring governmental enterprises and payment for them into immediate equation … —R. G. Tugwell
2
a
: a usually formal statement of the equality or equivalence of mathematical or logical expressions
b
: an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively by means of chemical symbols

Examples of equation in a Sentence

the equation of material wealth with happiness
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For sportswear retailers, the focus of the sports most popular in each region will also factor into that equation. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 As part of Indeed, Glassdoor is also working to solve this problem from the other side of the hiring equation. — Owen Humphries, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 When an autonomous response stops for human approval, this becomes part of the security equation. — Asaf Wiener, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 These machines bring dedicated mobile GPU hardware into the equation, which also brings more capable parallel processing and the ability to use VRAM as dedicated memory for loading a model and maintaining context through a conversation or task. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of equation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Equation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equation. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

equation

noun
1
: the act or process of equating : the state of being equated
2
a
: a statement of the equality of two mathematical expressions
b
: an expression involving chemical symbols for a chemical reaction

Medical Definition

equation

noun
equa·​tion
i-ˈkwā-zhən also -shən
: an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively by means of chemical symbols

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