seismic

[ sahyz-mik, sahys- ]

/ ˈsaɪz mɪk, ˈsaɪs- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR seismic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or caused by an earthquake or vibration of the earth, whether due to natural or artificial causes.

Nearby words

seirios, seise, seisin, seising, seism, seismic, seismic array, seismic gap, seismic wave, seismic waves, seismicity

Sometimes seis·mal [sahyz-muh l, sahys-] /ˈsaɪz məl, ˈsaɪs-/, seis·mi·cal.

Origin of seismic

First recorded in 1855–60; seism + -ic

Related forms

seis·mi·cal·ly, adverbnon·seis·mic, adjectiveun·seis·mal, adjectiveun·seis·mic, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for seismic

Similar reinforced plinths were developed by the Getty museums in Los Angeles to absorb the seismic movements there.
Florence Preps ‘David’ for the Big One|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The masterpiece is huge, but structurally flawed and terribly vulnerable to seismic activity.
Florence Preps ‘David’ for the Big One|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To an audience destabilized by seismic changes in the culture, he brings the assurance (and the threat) that Obama et al.
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.|Ana Marie Cox|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If you were following this saga, online, it felt like a seismic rumble.
LeBron James Returns to Cleveland: How 'The Decision 2.0' Happened|Robert Silverman|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This adds to rising housing prices, due to high demand and a seismic shift in the demographic of a neighborhood.
How Airbnb Is Jacking Up Your Rent|April Siese|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In connexion, however, with a seismic disturbance of the first magnitude the superficial features may be markedly affected.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 9|Various
A great earthquake rarely, if ever, occurs without some preparation in the form of a marked increase of seismic activity.
A Study of Recent Earthquakes|Charles Davison
This is known variously as the seismic centre, centrum, hypocentre, origin or focus.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 9|Various
But even time cannot obviate the seismic effects of new inventions, and shifts in jurisdictional matters are always imminent.
The Armies of Labor|Samuel P. Orth
Sound and seismic waves were slow, and the flare of atomic explosions couldn't be seen here.
Planet of the Damned|Harry Harrison

British Dictionary definitions for seismic

seismic

/ (ˈsaɪzmɪk) /

adjective

relating to or caused by earthquakes or artificially produced earth tremorsAlso (less commonly): seismical (ˈsaɪzmɪkəl)

of enormous proportions or having highly significant consequencesseismic social change

Derived Forms

seismically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012