ground zero

noun

1

: the point directly above, below, or at which an explosion and especially a nuclear explosion occurs

2

: the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change

Mingo Junction … sits at ground zero of the longest steelworker strike in American history.

—Michael Janofsky

broadly : center sense 2a

… the party town that served as ground zero for those corporate … bashes.

—Rich Eisen

3

: the very beginning : square one

We'll have to go back to ground zero and start over.

Synonyms of ground zero

• center
• capital
• hub
• mecca
• focus
• base
• nucleus
• core
• seat
• nerve center
• heart

Examples of ground zero in a Sentence

ground zero in the battle over immigration laws

a city that was once ground zero for the insurance industry

Recent Examples on the Web

After an emergency extension and an intervention from the state’s Supreme Court, Dallas County — a stronghold for Democrats — became ground zero for a voting rights dispute with implications well beyond its borders. —Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026

In a state known globally as ground zero for whiskey and bourbon, two Tennessee distilleries are resurrecting absinthe as a modern go-to spirit for curious palates and cocktail enthusiasts. —David Cook, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

But the 2 World Trade Center announcement represents a big step, physically and symbolically, in fulfilling a pledge of renewal at ground zero. —CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

But the 2 World Trade Center announcement represents a big step, physically and symbolically, in fulfilling a pledge of renewal at ground zero. —ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ground zero

• nonzero
• subzero
• biro
• spiro
• superhero

Kids Definition

ground zero

noun

1

: the site of a nuclear explosion

2

: the center of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change

3

: the very beginning : square one