hub

noun

ˈhəb 

1

: the central part of a circular object (such as a wheel or propeller)

spokes attached to the hub of the wheel

2

a

: a center of activity : focal point

The island is a major tourist hub.

b

: an airport or city through which an airline routes most of its traffic

c

: a central device that connects multiple computers on a single network (see network entry 1 sense 3b)

3

: a steel punch from which a working die (see die entry 2 sense 3a) for a coin or medal is made

Synonyms

• axis
• base
• capital
• center
• central
• core
• cynosure
• epicenter
• eye
• focus
• ground zero
• heart
• locus
• mecca
• navel
• nerve center
• nexus
• nucleus
• omphalos
• seat

Examples of hub in a Sentence

the hub of the city

She was at the hub of all the activity.

All of the airline's coast-to-coast flights pass through its hub.

The spokes attach to the hub of the wheel.

Recent Examples on the Web

And given that neither of these properties sees itself as a business hotel, each is determined to carve out its own ways to establish itself as a leisure hub. —Sarah Kahn, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024

The question of which city would take the crown as Europe’s financial hub from the City of London has gripped European capitals ever since Brexit spelled the end of London’s full integration in the European Union. —Peter Vanham, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024

But the locals wanted more opportunity than contraband provided, and the government wanted to take this roguish part of the country and turn it into a legitimate, modern commercial hub. —Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024

Xi delivered a major address before the World Health Assembly promoting China as a hub for medical resources. —Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

The Corner Ballpark serves as hub for youth activities during the draft, and the historic old Tiger Stadium site will offer an extension of activities a few miles away at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park. —Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024

Six offices are open across the state, including in areas like East Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Southwest Las Vegas that serve as hubs for Black, Latino and Asian American/Pacific Islander communities. —Jessica Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal (tns), arkansasonline.com, 22 Apr. 2024

After a 10-month review, the publisher is expanding its partnership with ICE, a joint venture of GEMA, STIM and PRS for Music that serves as a hub for publishing licensing, collections and payment processing for online uses of compositions in Europe and other markets. —Robert Levine, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024

While students are likely to remain largely online from now on, Lindquist hopes the college will find new life and energy as the tribe’s cultural hub. —Matt Krupnick, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of hob entry 2

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hub

• hub-and-spoke

Kids Definition

hub

noun

ˈhəb 

1

: the central part of a circular object (as a wheel)

2

: a center of activity

Medical Definition

hub

noun

ˈhəb 

: the enlarged base by which a hollow needle may be attached to a device (as a syringe)