1
: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake
also
: of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (such as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite)
2
: of or relating to a vibration on a celestial body (such as the moon) comparable to a seismic event on earth
3
: having a strong or widespread impact : earthshaking
seismic social changes
Examples of seismic in a Sentence
Seismic social changes have occurred.
Recent Examples on the Web
Although researchers detected and recorded those events using seismic and acoustic equipment, this is the first clear video evidence of an eruption in recent weeks.
—
Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Part tour guide, part dream coach, Ney’s job was to explain how such a gargantuan feat was even possible, especially built on a strata of unstable mud near a hotbed of seismic activity.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
In 2025, there have been only five independent seismic sequences with at least one magnitude 4 or higher earthquake in Southern California.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
The seismic decision comes after a year and a half of the Chiefs playing Kansas and Missouri officials off of each other to secure the most favorable stadium deal.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seismic
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Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Part tour guide, part dream coach, Ney’s job was to explain how such a gargantuan feat was even possible, especially built on a strata of unstable mud near a hotbed of seismic activity.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
In 2025, there have been only five independent seismic sequences with at least one magnitude 4 or higher earthquake in Southern California.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
The seismic decision comes after a year and a half of the Chiefs playing Kansas and Missouri officials off of each other to secure the most favorable stadium deal.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seismic
Cite this Entry
“Seismic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seismic. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seismic
adjective
seis·mic
ˈsīz-mik 
ˈsīs-
: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake or an earth vibration caused by something else (as an explosion)
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