earthquake

noun

earth·​quake ˈərth-ˌkwāk 

1

: a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin

2

: upheaval sense 2

Synonyms of earthquake

• quake
• tremor

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

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Thirty-two years ago, freeways fell, buildings flattened and local communities were reshaped forever by the earthquake. —Jamie Yuccas, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

In the shadow of Mount Etna and brushing up against the Ionian Sea, Sicily’s second-largest city was grandly rebuilt in imposing Baroque style using lava stone following a devastating 17th-century earthquake. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

An unsettling pattern of the ground shaking often near this city continued Friday morning, when three minor earthquakes hit four minutes apart. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for earthquake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache
• heartache

Kids Definition

earthquake

noun

earth·​quake ˈərth-ˌkwāk 

: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth