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
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.
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
The earthquake struck at a depth of 7 miles, with its epicenter about 6 miles south-southwest of Cantua Creek.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The Whipple Building near Fort Snelling serves as the epicenter of ICE's operations in Minnesota.
—Aki Nace, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Zambia, once global HIV epicenters, have emerged in recent years as among the world’s most successful models in controlling the epidemic, achieving World Health Organization testing, treatment and viral suppression targets.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
It was hit, of course, not only by the first wave, but became the global epicenter of the second wave a few months later.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
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Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The Whipple Building near Fort Snelling serves as the epicenter of ICE's operations in Minnesota.
—Aki Nace, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Zambia, once global HIV epicenters, have emerged in recent years as among the world’s most successful models in controlling the epidemic, achieving World Health Organization testing, treatment and viral suppression targets.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
It was hit, of course, not only by the first wave, but became the global epicenter of the second wave a few months later.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
Cite this Entry
“Epicenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epicenter. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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