ground zero
noun
1
: the point directly above, below, or at which a nuclear explosion occurs
2
: the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
broadly
: center sense 2a
the party town that served as ground zero for those corporate … bashes —
Rich Eisen
Rich Eisen 3
: the very beginning : square one
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
The East African nation, rich in coltan (a mineral vital to tech manufacturing), becomes ground zero for a confrontation between capitalist greed and collective consciousness.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025
Los Angeles, a host city for the 2026 World Cup, became ground zero for the clash between a welcoming global sporting event and immigration roundups.
—Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Naturally, The Ritz served as the glamorous backdrop for the event—ground zero during Couture Week, where fans and photographers stake out the hotel’s famed façade, hoping to catch a glimpse of stars sweeping across the iconic blue carpet.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 July 2025
The Fordow facility, considered ground zero of Iran's nuclear program, is built deep underground near the holy city of Qom and has been enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, approaching weapons-grade levels.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground zero
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Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025
Los Angeles, a host city for the 2026 World Cup, became ground zero for the clash between a welcoming global sporting event and immigration roundups.
—Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Naturally, The Ritz served as the glamorous backdrop for the event—ground zero during Couture Week, where fans and photographers stake out the hotel’s famed façade, hoping to catch a glimpse of stars sweeping across the iconic blue carpet.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 July 2025
The Fordow facility, considered ground zero of Iran's nuclear program, is built deep underground near the holy city of Qom and has been enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, approaching weapons-grade levels.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground zero
Cite this Entry
“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20zero. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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