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

His command over oral storytelling grips all those who join him on his walking tours of Kelly Ingram Park in downtown Birmingham, the historic epicenter of the nation’s Civil Rights Movement. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

The epicenter was approximately 11 miles east-southeast of Little Lake, at a depth of 5 miles. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026

The Stork was, for a time, the epicenter of the New York social scene, the Studio 54 of its day. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026

The closest beach to Mystic's lively epicenter is Williams Beach Park, a perfect family spot with a playground and calm waters. —Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 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