seismic

adjective

seis·​mic ˈsīz-mik 

ˈsīs-

1

: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake

also : of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (such as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite)

2

: of or relating to a vibration on a celestial body (such as the moon) comparable to a seismic event on earth

3

: having a strong or widespread impact : earthshaking

seismic social changes

seismically

ˈsīz-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Example Sentences

Seismic social changes have occurred.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists believe that the chamber may also be key to understanding the seismic activity in this region. —Elinda Labropoulou, CNN, 26 Apr. 2023

To shield the balance from the outside world, the physicists needed a site with as little seismic activity as possible—hence Sardinia. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2023

The Polar Earth Observing Network (PoleNet) has deployed and maintained dozens of GPS and seismic stations to monitor the behavior of West Antarctic glaciers. —Bymarissa Grunes, science.org, 20 Apr. 2023

The warehouse and purchasing building would get a roof replacement alongside seismic and structural upgrades, costing about $4.1 million. —Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2023

And so now, down by 12, with all that was at stake, the Hoosiers were on the brink of a seismic collapse. —Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2023

Jackson hopes that Sunday's 30th anniversary serves as a reminder that even though decades have passed since the seismic acts of terrorism in the United States' most populous city, no one, anywhere, can say the threat of mass violence is over. —Jennifer Peltz, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2023

This metallic inner core, about 1,500 miles (2,440) wide, was discovered in the 1930s, also based on seismic waves traveling through Earth. —Reuters, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2023

Antakya, the regional capital of Hatay province on the border with Syria, suffered some of the worst devastation wrought by Monday’s seismic shocks. —Jared Malsin, WSJ, 8 Feb. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Greek seismos shock, earthquake, from seiein to shake; probably akin to Avestan thwaēshō fear

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing seismic

• seismic shift

• seismic shift

Kids Definition

seismic

adjective

seis·​mic ˈsīz-mik 

ˈsīs-

: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake or an earth vibration caused by something else (as an explosion)