Drake equation

proper noun

A formula for calculating the probability of civilizations existing elsewhere in the Milky Way galaxy and of their ability to communicate with Earth.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Drake equation
  1. A formula for calculating the probability of civilizations existing elsewhere in the Milky Way galaxy and of their ability to communicate with Earth.

Origin

Named after American astrophysicist Frank Drake (1930–2022).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish Draken yhtälö
  • Draken yhtälöformula
French équation de Drake
  • équation de Drakeformula
Japanese ドレイクの方程式
  • ドレイクの方程式formula
Portuguese equação de Drake
  • equação de Drakeformula
Russian уравне́ние Дре́йка
  • уравне́ние Дре́йка (uravnénije Dréjka)formula
Cite this entry
APA

Drake equation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Drake%20equation

MLA

“Drake equation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Drake%20equation. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Drake equation,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Drake%20equation.

Source: Drake equation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.