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

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

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

While students are likely to remain largely online from now on, Lindquist hopes the college will find new life and energy as the tribe’s cultural hub. —Matt Krupnick, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024

Then keep scrolling for more of the best weekend sales from Amazon’s deals hub. —Amanda Oliver, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

Tallahassee’s Railroad Square Railroad Square in Tallahassee is a unique arts district housed in a former industrial area, now a vibrant hub for artists, galleries, and eclectic shops. —Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

The push has touched all sectors of society and the highest levels of government and comes as the Southeast Asian nation emerges as a global supply chain hub for companies such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. The case and others have roiled the nation’s bond, banking and property sectors. —Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

According to Google’s privacy hub for Gemini, these chats may stick around for three years. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024

To achieve this global influence, the cerebellum must be a data-crunching hub with connections throughout the brain. —R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024

The city was a hub during the Great Migration, which saw 6 million Black people move across the country from the South between 1910 and 1970. —Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024

Here’s a great piece from this week: How one mall has become a culture-defining hub for Orange County’s newest Koreatown. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

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

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)