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

One interviewee with his answers fully prepared is, unsurprisingly, Hansen himself — whose extensive one-to-one with the filmmaker is the doc’s startling third-act coup, albeit not one of seismic revelations or aggressive gotcha tactics. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025

One of those resulted in a seismic downhill dunk by James, with Porzingis stepping aside to avoid posterization. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2025

The Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen, one of the top goal scorers in team history and a key member of the 2022 Stanley Cup title team, Friday night to the Carolina Hurricanes in one of the most seismic transactions since the franchise moved to Denver. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025

The company's roots can be traced back to 1930 when it was founded as Geophysical Service Inc., focusing on seismic exploration technology for the oil industry. —Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

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)