epicenter

[ ep-uh-sen-ter ]

/ ˈɛp əˌsɛn tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR epicenter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

a focal point, as of activity: Manhattan's Chinatown is the epicenter of the city's Chinese community.

Nearby words

epicardium, epicarp, epicaste, epicedium, epicene, epicenter, epicentre, epicentrum, epichlorohydrin, epicist, epiclesis

Also especially British, ep·i·cen·tre.

Origin of epicenter

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

Related forms

ep·i·cen·tral, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epicenter

Since then, Kisangani has been the epicenter of nearly every rebellion in the Congo.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It seemed that I, a staunch feminist, had found myself in the epicenter of macho culture.
The Moms of Monster Jam Drive Trucks, Buck Macho Culture|Eliza Krigman|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The fact that these tensions are present even at the epicenter of the mindfulness world is telling.
What If Meditation Isn’t Good for You?|Jay Michaelson|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Liberia, the epicenter of the epidemic, was relying on just 50 doctors to care for the entire nation before the outbreak occurred.
Why New York’s Ebola Case Will Hurt Infected Patients Everywhere|Abby Haglage|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It removes Europe as the epicenter of creativity in a post-African world.
The Oldest Cave Art May Not Be in Europe|Justin Jones|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ground motion near the epicenter was so violent that the tops of some trees were snapped off.
Earthquakes|Kaye M. Shedlock
The location of an earthquake is commonly described by the geographic position of its epicenter and by its focal depth.
Earthquakes|Kaye M. Shedlock
The Santa Cruz mountains suffered little damage from the seismic waves, even though they were close to the epicenter.
Earthquakes|Kaye M. Shedlock

Science definitions for epicenter

epicenter

[ ĕp′ĭ-sĕn′tər ]

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. See Note at earthquake.

epicenter

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of epicenter

Related forms

Examples from the Web for epicenter

Science definitions for epicenter

epicenter