equal sign

noun

: a sign = indicating mathematical or logical equivalence

called also equality sign, equals sign

Examples of equal sign in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In math, whenever a student drew a line in an equals sign, a minus sign, or a division sign, she was required to use a ruler. Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023 Is there more to mathematics than the equal sign? Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023 That's why the less-than-or-equal sign is there. Rhett Allain, Wired, 21 Oct. 2020 For obligatory purchases like gas and groceries, add an equal sign. cleveland, 30 Apr. 2022 The new album's cover features a black equal sign atop an abstract painting created by Sheeran, as well as several butterflies that symbolize new life. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 19 Aug. 2021 Andre Rochester painted a scales of justice, an equal sign and people of different races. Susan Dunne, courant.com, 13 Nov. 2020 But there is a growing community of mathematicians who regard the equal sign as math’s original error. Wired, 13 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equal sign.' 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 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of equal sign was circa 1909

Dictionary Entries Near equal sign

Cite this Entry

“Equal sign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equal%20sign. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

equal sign

noun
: a sign = meaning mathematical or logical equality

called also equality sign, equals sign

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!