earthquake

noun

earth·​quake ˈərth-ˌkwāk 

1

: a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin

2

: upheaval sense 2

Synonyms

• quake
• shake
• temblor
• tremor

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

According to the manufacturer, it’s rated for earthquakes up to level 8 and wind up to level 10. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025

Now, as China quietly primes the bitcoin price for a huge earthquake, a White House leak has revealed one of Donald Trump’s top bitcoin and crypto officials reportedly said the Trump administration wants to acquire as much bitcoin as possible. —Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Friday, no earthquakes had been reported in Marshville in at least the past 25 years, USGS data shows. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025

What to know about earthquakes Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for earthquake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache
• heartache

Kids Definition

earthquake

noun

earth·​quake ˈərth-ˌkwāk 

: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth