hub

play

noun \ ˈhəb \

Definition of hub

1 :the central part of a circular object (such as a wheel or propeller)

spokes attached to the hub of the wheel

2 a :a center of activity :focal point

The island is a major tourist hub.

b :an airport or city through which an airline routes most of its traffic

c :a central device that connects multiple computers on a single network (see ¹network 3b)

3 :a steel punch from which a working die (see ²die 3a) for a coin or medal is made

See hub defined for English-language learners

See hub defined for kids

Examples of hub in a Sentence

the hub of the city
She was at the hub of all the activity.
All of the airline's coast-to-coast flights pass through its hub.
The spokes attach to the hub of the wheel.

Recent Examples of hub from the Web

The founding chef of Coconut Grove’s 33 Kitchen will shutter his sliver of a restaurant amid rising rents to open a spot that will serve as the hub for a new outdoor courtyard in the heart of Little Havana’s revival.

— carlos frías, miamiherald, "A new courtyard and beer garden mean Calle Ocho visitors will have a new hangout," 25 Aug. 2017
Early in the summer, the board submitted a plan using the hub model to the province for approval.

— ian austen, New York Times, "An Ice Cream Maker’s Latest Recipe: Saving the Local School," 6 Aug. 2017
Transportation hubs had 15 police units during drop-off and pick-up hours.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "Birmingham leaves lasting impression on visiting Jewish athletes," 4 Aug. 2017
The hub is located in an old train station and is just oozing with charm.

— athena calderone, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Untapped Wine Region Athena Calderone Thinks You Need To Visit," 3 Aug. 2017
Microsoft owns one of the most profitable products in your living room, the Xbox, a gaming platform that is also a hub for TV, film, and social media.

— The Hive, "Why Hollywood as We Know It Is Already Over," 2 Aug. 2017
The country is the economic and strategic hub of east Africa, so a credible election this time matters not only to Kenyans but to many beyond their borders.

— The Economist, "Make monitors matter," 20 July 2017
Later that same night — when golf clubs become social hubs here — the contrast was even more obvious.

— joe donatelli, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Trump Golf Club in L.A. Appears to Be Losing Popularity During the Trump Presidency," 19 July 2017
Paris became a global research hub for artificial intelligence.

— The Economist, "If France’s reforms succeededWhat a Macron miracle could do for France and Europe," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hub.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hub

probably alteration of ²hob

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1649

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hub Synonyms

Synonyms

axis, base, capital, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus, ground zero, heart, center, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat

Related Words

headquarters; happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland; kernel, nub, pith; deep, thick; essence, quintessence, soul; attraction, lodestone (also loadstone), magnet, polestar

HUB Defined for English Language Learners

hub

play

noun

Definition of hub for English Language Learners

: the central and most active part or place
: the airport or the city through which an airline sends most of its flights
: the center of a wheel, propeller, fan, etc.

HUB Defined for Kids

hub

play

noun \ ˈhəb \

Definition of hub for Students

1 :the center of a wheel, propeller, or fan

2 :a center of activity

The port is the island's hub.

Medical Dictionary

hub

play

noun \ ˈhəb \

medical Definition of hub

:the enlarged base by which a hollow needle may be attached to a device (as a syringe)

Learn More about hub

See words that rhyme with hub Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hub Spanish Central: Translation of hub Nglish: Translation of hub for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hub for Arabic speakers

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Examples of hub in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of hub

hub Synonyms

Synonyms

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HUB Defined for English Language Learners

hub

Definition of hub for English Language Learners

HUB Defined for Kids

hub

Definition of hub for Students

Medical Dictionary

hub

medical Definition of hub

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