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 of epicenter

• center
• mecca
• hub
• capital

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 epicenter was approximately 6 miles east-southeast of Burney, at a depth of 9 miles. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) had cautioned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the epicenter. — Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

It was preceded by a smaller quake with an epicenter a bit farther out in the ocean. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

And Utah politicians have made Utah the epicenter of the anti-public-lands movement. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin epicentrum, from epi- + Latin centrum center

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for epicenter

• multicenter
• center
• centre
• enter
• renter
• stentor
• dissenter
• frequenter
• indenter
• inventor
• precentor
• preventer

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