epicenter

American  

[ep-uh-sen-ter] / ˈɛp əˌsɛn tər /

especially British, epicentre

noun

1. Geology. Also a point, directly above the true center of disturbance, from which the shock waves of an earthquake apparently radiate.

2. a focal point, as of activity.

   Manhattan's Chinatown is the epicenter of the city's Chinese community.

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epicenter Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-sĕn′tər /

1. The point on the Earth's surface that is directly above the focus (the point of origin) of an earthquake. The epicenter is usually the location where the greatest damage associated with an earthquake occurs.

2. See Note at earthquake

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Other Word Forms

• epicentral adjective

Etymology

Origin of epicenter

1885–90; < New Latin epicentrum < Greek epíkentros on the center. See epi-, center

Compare meaning

How does epicenter compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypocenter vs. epicenter

Explanation

Earthquakes start deep underground, and the epicenter is the central location of the earthquake, the point of land right above where an earthquake begins. When violent movement happens beneath the Earth’s surface, earthquakes send out destructive waves of vibration, sort of like ripples after you throw a rock into a lake. The epicenter is the place on the surface where those ripples start. The Greek epikentros means “situated on a center,” and that’s where you’ll find the epicenter, dead center in an earthquake’s destruction. Of course, you don’t really want to find it, because it’s kind of dangerous there.

Example Sentences

Each has been at the very epicenter of democratic attempts to access the constitutional tools demanded by this moment.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

The numbers for the year through June 2025 indicate the effects of a big immigration slowdown, fewer people bailing on America’s tech epicenter, a modest Midwest rebound and the rising appeal for small southern metros.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The epicenter was located near Mandalay, the country's second-largest city.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

What’s Next: Many private market lenders are exposed to industries at the epicenter of the AI disruption trade, and some of them have been caught out by falling company values and illiquid loan portfolios.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Helen, once a peripheral figure in these discussions, became the epicenter, instigator, and protagonist.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

Related Words

• command post
• focal point
• headquarters
• hotbed