epicenter
noun
epi·cen·ter
ˈe-pi-ˌsen-tər 
1
: the part of the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake compare hypocenter sense 1
2
: center sense 2a
the epicenter of world finance
Did you know?
The meaning of epi- in epicenter is "over", so the epicenter of an earthquake lies over the center or "focus" of the quake. Epicenter can also refer to the centers of things that may seem in their own way as powerful—though not as destructive—as earthquakes. Wall Street, for example, might be said to lie at the epicenter of the financial world.
Examples of epicenter in a Sentence
by continually reinventing itself, Las Vegas has managed to remain a national epicenter for entertainment
Recent Examples on the Web
The epicenter was about 7 miles east of Coso Junction, at a depth of 1 mile.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Kolonaki Square is its epicenter, but the construction of the new metro stop there has momentarily killed its charm.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Another Californian was exposed to hantavirus An expedition cruise ship capable of exploring remote Antarctic regions became the epicenter of the first deadly hantavirus outbreak at sea, killing three passengers of the MV Hondius.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
District 8 remains at the forefront, with the epicenter of homeless services on the doorstep of Barrio Logan and Sherman Heights.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
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Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Kolonaki Square is its epicenter, but the construction of the new metro stop there has momentarily killed its charm.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Another Californian was exposed to hantavirus An expedition cruise ship capable of exploring remote Antarctic regions became the epicenter of the first deadly hantavirus outbreak at sea, killing three passengers of the MV Hondius.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
District 8 remains at the forefront, with the epicenter of homeless services on the doorstep of Barrio Logan and Sherman Heights.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
Cite this Entry
“Epicenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epicenter. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
epicenter
noun
epi·cen·ter
ˈep-i-ˌsent-ər
: the part of the earth's surface directly above the starting point of an earthquake
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