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 network entry 1 sense 3b)
3
: a steel punch from which a working die (see die entry 2 sense 3a) for a coin or medal is made

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These include plans for a Trump tower in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh and major hub Jeddah, real estate projects in Oman and further expansion in Abu Dhabi. Federico MacCioni, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 The couple is visiting a community hub and an artisan market to meet some of the island’s creators. Stephanie Petit, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Ulrike Schroder will be managing director of the TV division, heading the hub for international TV distribution within Vuelta. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025 Earlier this month, Xi visited Southeast Asia for the second time in less than two years, to strengthen ties with Vietnam and other key neighbors that have become transshipment hubs for Chinese goods. Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hub

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of hob entry 2

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hub was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hub. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

hub

noun
1
: the central part of a circular object (as a wheel)
2
: a center of activity

Medical Definition

hub

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

More from Merriam-Webster on hub

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