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

Examples of seismic in a Sentence

Seismic social changes have occurred.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bridge is designed with a seismic damper system, the first in Taiwan. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025

Earthquakes occur frequently around the island, particularly off its eastern and southern coasts, where the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate in the Kuril Trench — one of the most active seismic zones in the world. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Caplan-Auerbach is studying nearly imperceptible seismic tremors that have preceded major landslides, including the August one in Tracy Arm. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025

Scholars believe that Aboriginal tales conveying perceptive observations and understanding of natural evidence are some of the most ancient geomyths in the world, helping scientists to understand seismic, volcanic, and other geological events in Australia’s remote past. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

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

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)