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

epicentral

ˌe-pi-ˈsen-trəl 

adjective

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.

Synonyms

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

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 Castro would become the epicenter of the city's LGBTQ+ community, and Milk was at the heart of it. —Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024

Khan Younis was the epicenter of heavy fighting, Israeli airstrikes and shelling a few months ago. —Anas Baba, NPR, 4 June 2024

The batteries at the epicenter of the fire are in Building 3 at the Gateway facility. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024

Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the best new distilleries in Bardstown, the small enclave at the epicenter of Kentucky bourbon. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin epicentrum, from epi- + Latin centrum center

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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