seismic

adjective

seis·​mic ˈsīz-mik 

ˈsīs-

1

: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake

also : of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (such as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite)

2

: of or relating to a vibration on a celestial body (such as the moon) comparable to a seismic event on earth

3

: having a strong or widespread impact : earthshaking

seismic social changes

seismically

ˈsīz-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of seismic in a Sentence

Seismic social changes have occurred.

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, advanced tsunami warning systems use AI to process real-time seismic activity and ocean changes, issuing faster and more accurate alerts. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

And with that seismic revelation, at the age of 53, his heart grew 3X larger. —Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2024

The Cleveland Guardians' first base picture saw a seismic shakeup Saturday. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

Plenty of A-list pop projects were released before and after The Tortured Poets Department this calendar year, but Swift created a seismic event – no other artist managed even one-sixth of those first-week numbers. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek seismos shock, earthquake, from seiein to shake; probably akin to Avestan thwaēshō fear

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing seismic

• seismic shift

Kids Definition

seismic

adjective

seis·​mic ˈsīz-mik 

ˈsīs-

: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake or an earth vibration caused by something else (as an explosion)