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, 11 Oct. 2025
Volcanic activity can also trigger earthquakes, especially when magma shifts beneath the surface or alters pressure in surrounding rock.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake.
—William B. Davis, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Maldonado Medina was scheduled to be deported on Sept. 24, but a series of earthquakes in Venezuela forced the flight to divert to Aruba for several hours before returning to Miami.
—Veronica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
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Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Volcanic activity can also trigger earthquakes, especially when magma shifts beneath the surface or alters pressure in surrounding rock.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake.
—William B. Davis, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Maldonado Medina was scheduled to be deported on Sept. 24, but a series of earthquakes in Venezuela forced the flight to divert to Aruba for several hours before returning to Miami.
—Veronica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthquake. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk
: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth
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