ground zero

American  

noun

1. the point on the surface of the earth or water directly below, directly above, or at which an atomic or hydrogen bomb explodes.

2. (sometimes initial capital letters) the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

3. Informal. the very beginning or most elementary level.

   Some of the students are starting from ground zero.

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ground zero British  

noun

1. a point on the surface of land or water at or directly above or below the centre of a nuclear explosion

2. a scene of great devastation

3. (sometimes capitals) the name given to the devastated site of the collapsed World Trade Center towers in New York after September 11 2001

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Etymology

Origin of ground zero

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“BDCs are ground zero for value opportunity,” says Stephen O’Neill, portfolio manager at RiverNorth, a specialist in closed-end fund and BDC investments.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Nobody is exactly sure who originally coined the term, but ground zero, according to the internet historians at KnowYourMeme, might be a post made by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez one day before the inauguration.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

What to keep and what to toss is a battle, and our basement is ground zero.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

“Whether the corporation wants to admit it or not, Home Depot has become ground zero for this cruel, vicious immigration enforcement that’s taking place in our country,” said Pablo Alvarado, NDLON’s co-executive director.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025

The graduates then headed off to stateside service at bases like Maryland’s Naval Air Station Patuxent River, ground zero for the navy’s flight test activity.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

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• aspiration
• intention
• purpose
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