foreshock

noun

fore·​shock ˈfȯr-ˌshäk How to pronounce foreshock (audio)
: any of the usually minor tremors commonly preceding the principal shock of an earthquake

Examples of foreshock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It had been preceded by a 3.3-magnitude foreshock on Sunday, seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones told KCBS. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025 The quake was preceded by 14 foreshock events, Cochran said. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 The quake was preceded by a 3.3 magnitude foreshock just before 4 p.m. Sunday, Dr. Lucile Jones, a seismologist working with Caltech, said on a call following the quake. Stephanie Elam, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025 Have large foreshocks happened in California before? About half of California's biggest earthquakes in history have been preceded by foreshocks. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for foreshock

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreshock was in 1902

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Cite this Entry

“Foreshock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreshock. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

foreshock

noun
fore·​shock ˈfō(ə)r-ˌshäk How to pronounce foreshock (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)r-
: a minor tremor prior to an earthquake

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