epicentre

British  

/ ˈɛpɪˌsɛntə /

noun

1. the point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake or underground nuclear explosion Compare focus

2. informal the absolute centre of something

   the epicentre of world sprinting

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Other Word Forms

• epicentral adjective

Etymology

Origin of epicentre

C19: from New Latin epicentrum, from Greek epikentros over the centre, from _epi- + kentron needle; see _centre

Example Sentences

The epicentre of fighting has shifted to the south-central Kordofan region since both sides consolidated their gains in the other main battlefields of this nearly three-year war.

From BBC

This is the epicentre of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has – in the past year – swept across eight of the country's nine provinces, devastating animal herds, with many cattle being killed to halt its spread.

From BBC

The United Nations has described the region as the "epicentre" of global jihadist violence.

From BBC

Diplomats and analysts routinely now describe the region as the "epicentre of global terrorism", which could present a long-term international threat.

From BBC

For so long, Andy Murray was the epicentre of British tennis.

From BBC