equivalence
[ ih-kwiv-uh-luh ns or for 3, ee-kwuh-vey-luh ns ]
/ ɪˈkwɪv ə ləns or for 3, ˌi kwəˈveɪ ləns /
noun Also equivalency (for defs 1, 2).
the state or fact of being equivalent; equality in value, force, significance, etc.
an instance of this; an equivalent.
Chemistry.
the quality of having equal valence.
Logic, Mathematics.
- Also called material implication. the relation between two propositions such that the second is not false when the first is true.
- Also called material equivalence. the relation between two propositions such that they are either both true or both false.
- the relation between two propositions such that each logically implies the other.
adjective
(of a logical or mathematical relationship) reflexive, symmetrical, and transitive.
Origin of equivalence
1535–45; < Middle French < Medieval Latin
aequivalentia, equivalent to Latin
aequivalent-
equivalent +
-ia
-ia; see
-ence
OTHER WORDS FROM equivalence
non·e·quiv·a·lence, nounWords nearby equivalence
Example sentences from the Web for equivalence
British Dictionary definitions for equivalence
equivalence
equivalency
/ (ɪˈkwɪvələns) /
noun
the state of being equivalent or interchangeable
maths logic
- the relationship between two statements, each of which implies the other
- Also called: biconditional the binary truth-function that takes the value true when both component sentences are true or when both are false, corresponding to English if and only if . Symbol: ≡ or ↔, as in –(p ∧ q) ≡ – p ∨ – q