earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk 
1
: a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin
2
Examples of earthquake in a Sentence
a building destroyed by earthquake
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Recent Examples on the Web
But the ground level faces severe flooding risks through a combination of rainstorms and earthquakes that bring soil water to the surface, per a study conducted in 2016 by the San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission.
—
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
The work is part of Phase 5 of the bluff stabilization project, which began in 2024 as part of an effort to protect the eroding bluffs from earthquakes, sea level rise and other factors.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Tsunamis are a series of giant waves caused by undersea earthquakes at tectonic plate boundaries, or volcanic eruptions.
—George Petras, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
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Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
The work is part of Phase 5 of the bluff stabilization project, which began in 2024 as part of an effort to protect the eroding bluffs from earthquakes, sea level rise and other factors.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Tsunamis are a series of giant waves caused by undersea earthquakes at tectonic plate boundaries, or volcanic eruptions.
—George Petras, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthquake. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk
: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth
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