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
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.
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
Since then, Texas has been the epicenter and blueprint for Juneteenth celebrations.
—
Essence, 24 June 2025
Anderson said his district — which includes El Cajon and much of East County — has been the epicenter of much of the fentanyl and opioid abuse in recent years.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
The draft is widely anticipated to be the epicenter of transaction season for many teams around the league this year, with some front offices desperate to avoid the competitive ramifications of the luxury tax aprons, and others eager to tinker with their depth charts.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
After all, this lakeside community — home to Northwestern University — was the epicenter of the American temperance movement.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
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Essence, 24 June 2025
Anderson said his district — which includes El Cajon and much of East County — has been the epicenter of much of the fentanyl and opioid abuse in recent years.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
The draft is widely anticipated to be the epicenter of transaction season for many teams around the league this year, with some front offices desperate to avoid the competitive ramifications of the luxury tax aprons, and others eager to tinker with their depth charts.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
After all, this lakeside community — home to Northwestern University — was the epicenter of the American temperance movement.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
Cite this Entry
“Epicenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epicenter. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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