epicenter
Americannoun
-
Geology. Also 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.
-
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
Other Word Forms
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:
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.
Vocabulary lists containing epicenter
Brace Yourself: Earthquake Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Super Seismic: Words for Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Smile
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Aldana Ramirez tries to warm up beside a brasero, a type of local heater, on a freezing night at Los Azules copper project in San Juan province, the epicenter of Milei's mining "revolution."
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
“The global semiconductor market is undergoing a seismic transformation,” the report noted, and “the memory segment is at the epicenter of this shift.”
From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026
While L.A. has become the epicenter of VHS collecting in the country, the most notable gathering for enthusiasts, VHS Fest, takes place every summer at the Mahoning Drive-in Theater in Lehighton, Pa.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Each has been at the very epicenter of democratic attempts to access the constitutional tools demanded by this moment.
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
“You still think you’re the epicenter of a continent, don’t you, Princess?”
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
