hub

noun

ˈhəb 

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

Synonyms of hub

• center
• mecca
• capital
• focus

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

Coinbase has also been expanding overseas, establishing presence in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, which Armstrong described as its Asia hub. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Many of the buildings were cavernous fulfillment centers built during the pandemic-era online-shopping boom that were sitting empty near highways, airports and other transportation hubs. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

That output was part of a production boom in a country that’s been the dominant hub of film and television production in the Balkan region since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

The hub, which opened in 2025, is housed in a 1940s home formerly owned by the famed Toso glassmaking family. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of hob entry 2

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hub

• hub-and-spoke

Rhymes for hub

• bub
• club
• cub
• dub
• grub
• nub
• pub
• rub
• scrub
• shrub
• snub
• stub

Kids Definition

hub

noun

ˈhəb 

1

: the central part of a circular object (as a wheel)

2

: a center of activity

Medical Definition

hub

noun

ˈhəb 

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