ground zero

ground zero

noun

: the point on the earth's surface directly above, below, or at which an explosion (especially a nuclear explosion) occurs

: the central point in an area of fast change or intense activity

: the beginning state or starting point

Full Definition of GROUND ZERO

1

:  the point directly above, below, or at which a nuclear explosion occurs

2

:  the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change; broadly :  center 2a <the party town that served as ground zero for those corporate … bashes — Rich Eisen>

3

:  the very beginning :  square one

Examples of GROUND ZERO

1. ground zero in the battle over immigration laws
2. <a city that was once ground zero for the insurance industry>

First Known Use of GROUND ZERO

1946

Related to GROUND ZERO

Synonyms

axis, base, capital, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus, center, heart, hub, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat

Related Words

headquarters; happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland; kernel, nub, pith; deep, thick; essence, quintessence, soul; attraction, lodestone (also loadstone), magnet, polestar