earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk 
1
: a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin
2
Examples of earthquake in a Sentence
a building destroyed by earthquake
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Recent Examples on the Web
This has been an unusually active year for moderate earthquakes in Southern California.
—
Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024
After the devastating 2010 earthquake, they were joined by the Red Cross and Oxfam.
—Nathan H. Dize, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2024
Scientists warn that even those earthquakes are relatively moderate compared with what can happen.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024
The earthquake had an epicenter about 5 miles northeast of Alum Rock.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for earthquake 
Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024
After the devastating 2010 earthquake, they were joined by the Red Cross and Oxfam.
—Nathan H. Dize, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2024
Scientists warn that even those earthquakes are relatively moderate compared with what can happen.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024
The earthquake had an epicenter about 5 miles northeast of Alum Rock.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for earthquake
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earthquake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthquake. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk
: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth
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