epicenter

noun

epi·​cen·​ter ˈe-pi-ˌsen-tər 

1

: the part of the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake compare hypocenter sense 1

2

: center sense 2a

the epicenter of world finance

epicentral

ˌe-pi-ˈsen-trəl 

adjective

Did you know?

The meaning of epi- in epicenter is "over", so the epicenter of an earthquake lies over the center or "focus" of the quake. Epicenter can also refer to the centers of things that may seem in their own way as powerful—though not as destructive—as earthquakes. Wall Street, for example, might be said to lie at the epicenter of the financial world.

Synonyms

• axis
• base
• capital
• center
• central
• core
• cynosure
• eye
• focus
• ground zero
• heart
• hub
• locus
• mecca
• navel
• nerve center
• nexus
• nucleus
• omphalos
• seat

Examples of epicenter in a Sentence

by continually reinventing itself, Las Vegas has managed to remain a national epicenter for entertainment

Recent Examples on the Web

Our work has positioned us at the epicenter of institutional betrayal. —Dave Catalfamo, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024

At the epicenter of the trial are 51 men, all who lived within a 30-mile radius of one another. —Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

What to Know The earthquake struck at a depth of 35 miles, with its epicenter located 18 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

This, of course, is not the first time Timberlake has been at the epicenter of a clothing scandal. —Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin epicentrum, from epi- + Latin centrum center

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

epicenter

noun

epi·​cen·​ter ˈep-i-ˌsent-ər 

: the part of the earth's surface directly above the starting point of an earthquake