epicenter

[ ep-uh-sen-ter ]

noun

1. Also Geology. a point, directly above the true center of disturbance, from which the shock waves of an earthquake apparently radiate.
2. a focal point, as of activity:

   Manhattan's Chinatown is the epicenter of the city's Chinese community.

epicenter

/ ĕp′ĭ-sĕn′tər /

1. The point on the Earth's surface that is directly above the focus (the point of origin) of an earthquake. The epicenter is usually the location where the greatest damage associated with an earthquake occurs.
2. See Note at earthquake

Other Words From

• epi·central adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epicenter¹

1885–90; < New Latin epicentrum < Greek epíkentros on the center. See epi-, center

Example Sentences

“This is the epicenter of a rebirth of freedom,” McCoy said from the Phoenix headquarters of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.

From Los Angeles Times

A less severe variant known as Clade II continues to circulate in the U.S., including in Los Angeles and San Francisco — two of the epicenters of the last outbreak in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

While Los Angeles is the epicenter of entertainment, where AI is expected to have serious ramifications, much of the recent tech investment was focused on other industries, including healthcare.

From Los Angeles Times

The state, which is the country’s largest dairy supplier, has become the epicenter of bird flu in cows and has concerned public health experts since the beginning of the outbreak for this reason.

From Salon

The earthquake’s epicenter was less than a mile south of Ontario International Airport.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• command post
• focal point
• headquarters
• hotbed