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

Now the state has a chance to become the epicenter of SpaceX’s Starship program as the company plans to invest up to $100 billion to construct factories and multiple launch pads for the super heavy lift rocket. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

The port was engulfed by a mudslide on Wednesday and remains the epicenter of rescue efforts. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Johannesburg’s Cultural Evolution Johannesburg (also known as Joburg or Jozi) is South Africa’s largest metropolis and the epicenter of its complex cultural evolution. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

The epicenter was roughly 6 miles north-northwest of Corcoran, at a depth of 13 miles. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 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