hub

American  

[huhb] / hʌb /

noun

1. the central part of a wheel, as that part into which the spokes are inserted.

2. the central part or axle end from which blades or spokelike parts radiate on various devices, as on a fan or propeller.

3. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc..

   Chicago is a railroad hub.

   Synonyms:

   heart , pivot , core

4. the Hub, Boston, Massachusetts (used as a nickname).

5. the peg or hob used as a target in quoits and similar games.

6. any one of the holes in an electrical panel, into which connections may be plugged.

7. Computers.  a device connecting others in a network and enabling communication among them by receiving data packets from any of the devices and broadcasting them to every device on the network irrespective of the intended destination: used primarily in small local area networks.

8. Coining.  a design of hardened steel in relief, used as a punch in making a die.

9. Surveying.  a stake bearing a tack used to mark a theodolite position.

10. Metalworking.  a die forced into a metal blank.

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verb (used with object)

hubbed, hubbing

1. Metalworking.  to stamp (a metal blank) with a hub.

hub British  

/ hʌb /

noun

1. the central portion of a wheel, propeller, fan, etc, through which the axle passes

2. the focal point

3. computing a device for connecting computers in a network

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Etymology

Origin of hub

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps variant of hob ¹

Example Sentences

A year ago, a team of about 100 officers was launched in four regional hubs, scaling up its activity after the end of the public phase of the inquiry into the scandal.

From BBC

London, the global trading hub for physical silver, typically holds hundreds of millions of ounces in vaults to ensure liquidity.

From The Wall Street Journal

It recommended the "expansion of the opt-out testing programme" at facilities such as women's health hubs, as well as "locally-led campaigns" targeting at-risk groups which also included "Black African and Asian communities".

From BBC

Consider Taiwan, the global manufacturing hub for the most advanced AI chips.

From The Wall Street Journal

Budapest -- with its eclectic architecture and several modern studios -- has become Hollywood's most important production hub outside the English-speaking world, he noted.

From Barron's

Related Words

• nerve center