1. The axis, or a portion thereof, of the broad trade-wind current of the Tropics. This axis is the dividing line between the southeast trades and the northeast trades (of the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, respectively). It is collocated with the ascending branch of the Hadley cell. At one time it was held that this was a convergence line along its entire extent. It is now recognized that actual convergence occurs only along portions of this line. For further discussion, see equatorial trough; see also intertropical front, doldrums. 2. Same as meteorological equator.