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Equivocation is a logical fallacy that occurs when a word or phrase is used with more than one meaning in the same argument, leading to a misleading or invalid conclusion. It is a form of deliberate deception or unintentional error. The fallacy relies on the ambiguity of language, exploiting the fact that many words have multiple meanings.

For example, consider the argument: "All men are mortal. No woman is a man. Therefore, no woman is mortal." The word "man" is used in two different senses: first, to refer to the human species in general, and second, to refer specifically to males. This shift in meaning renders the argument invalid.

Equivocation can be subtle and is often used in rhetoric to persuade an audience without providing sound reasoning. It can appear in various forms, including the use of homonyms (words that sound alike but have different meanings) or polysemous words (words with multiple related meanings). Identifying equivocation requires careful attention to the precise meaning of words within the context of an argument. Avoiding it involves ensuring that each term is used consistently with a single, clear definition throughout the discussion.