earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk 
1
: a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin
2
Examples of earthquake in a Sentence
a building destroyed by earthquake
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Recent Examples on the Web
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Mar. 2026
At two minutes before noon on September 1, 1923, a massive earthquake struck Japan.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Set against the backdrop of the city’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the film traces the two women’s gradual reconciliation through their father’s photographs, exploring themes of loss, identity and the Filipino diaspora.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Rebuilt after the catastrophic 1693 earthquake, the most powerful in Italian history, the town produced Sicilian Baroque so magnificent that eight towns earned UNESCO status in 2002.
—Jenn Rice, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
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Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Mar. 2026
At two minutes before noon on September 1, 1923, a massive earthquake struck Japan.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Set against the backdrop of the city’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the film traces the two women’s gradual reconciliation through their father’s photographs, exploring themes of loss, identity and the Filipino diaspora.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Rebuilt after the catastrophic 1693 earthquake, the most powerful in Italian history, the town produced Sicilian Baroque so magnificent that eight towns earned UNESCO status in 2002.
—Jenn Rice, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthquake. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk
: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth
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