ground zero

noun

1
: the point directly above, below, or at which a nuclear explosion occurs
2
: the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
broadly : center sense 2a
the party town that served as ground zero for those corporate … bashes Rich Eisen
3
: the very beginning : square one

Examples of ground zero in a Sentence

ground zero in the battle over immigration laws a city that was once ground zero for the insurance industry
Recent Examples on the Web Republican donors are clearly optimistic about McCormick's chances to win in Pennsylvania, a state that will be ground zero in the battle for the White House and the Senate. Casey, raised $5.6 million in the first quarter, a personal best. Hans Nichols, Axios, 15 July 2024 Arizona is ground zero for the climate crisis — from record-breaking heat to drought to wildfires. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024 But then, Loudoun County was ground zero for petty squabbles about children’s books and bathrooms, hardly the oppressions that tossed millions of immigrants to America’s shores. Washington Post, 3 July 2024 Dreams clash with reality Journalism, in many ways, represents ground zero for the crisis that confronts contemporary vocations. Matthew Powers, The Conversation, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for ground zero 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ground zero.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground zero was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near ground zero

Cite this Entry

“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20zero. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

ground zero

noun
1
: the site of a nuclear explosion
2
: the center of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
3
: the very beginning : square one

More from Merriam-Webster on ground zero

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