equates

Equates is the third-person singular present tense of the verb equate. To equate means to regard as equal or as equivalent in some respect; to treat one thing as the same as another.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin aequare “to make equal,” from aequus “equal,” via Old French into English.

In mathematics, to equate two expressions means to set them equal, forming an equation or asserting equivalence. In everyday usage, “to equate A with B” indicates treating A as the same as B for a particular purpose, which does not always imply identity in all aspects.

Usage notes: equates is a transitive verb, typically used with objects (for example, “The study equates X with Y”). Some contexts allow “equate A to B,” but “equate A with B” is standard when signaling exact equivalence. The term is often used in discussions of logic, philosophy, science, and journalism to describe asserted or assumed similarity or sameness between two concepts, measures, or entities.

See also: equation, equality, equivalence, equals sign.