hub

American  

[huhb] / hʌb /

noun

1. the central part of a wheel, as that part into which the spokes are inserted.

2. the central part or axle end from which blades or spokelike parts radiate on various devices, as on a fan or propeller.

3. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc..

   Chicago is a railroad hub.

   Synonyms:

   heart, pivot, core

4. the Hub, Boston, Massachusetts (used as a nickname).

5. the peg or hob used as a target in quoits and similar games.

6. any one of the holes in an electrical panel, into which connections may be plugged.

7. Computers. a device connecting others in a network and enabling communication among them by receiving data packets from any of the devices and broadcasting them to every device on the network irrespective of the intended destination: used primarily in small local area networks.

8. Coining. a design of hardened steel in relief, used as a punch in making a die.

9. Surveying. a stake bearing a tack used to mark a theodolite position.

10. Metalworking. a die forced into a metal blank.

---

verb (used with object)

hubbed, hubbing

1. Metalworking. to stamp (a metal blank) with a hub.

hub British  

/ hʌb /

noun

1. the central portion of a wheel, propeller, fan, etc, through which the axle passes

2. the focal point

3. computing a device for connecting computers in a network

---

Etymology

Origin of hub

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps variant of hob ¹

Example Sentences

Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports, could be a “swing factor” to finding a resolution.

From MarketWatch

The critics questioning Abu Dhabi’s and Dubai’s status as global hubs are conflating the security of the moment with structural dynamism and resilience over time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some of that dirty work, however, is moving to Europe as Mr. Orbán looks to make Hungary an EV hub and Asian battery manufacturers move production abroad to offset tariff risks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Here are those picks and how they compare to the win probability from the college basketball data hub kenpom.com.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Once geopolitical tensions ease, we expect Middle Eastern patient demand to rebound strongly, supported by Thailand’s reputation as a regional medical hub,” DBS says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• nerve center