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Glite Dictionary
epicenter

epicenter

44 6.5
The point on the ground directly above where an earthquake starts
  • noun
  • /ˈɛpɪˌsɛntər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : epicentro
  • In a recent report, the CDC noted that the "epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is college students" (CDC, 2004c).
  • epicenter of the earthquake

Examples

  • With more than one third of all women affected in the epicenter, the infection rate in the population was high.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The Washington Post even described Liberty as "the epicenter of evangelical education in the United States."

    Academic text (2017)

  • There is little doubt that the United States is the epicenter of the new biotechnology movement.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Yesterday, one infectious disease expert said this Miami is now the epicenter of the pandemic.

  • Dakar has been an epicenter of contemporary art for more than four decades.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Here lies the epicenter of my newest endeavor.

    It's All Good (2016)

  • The temple at Luxor was the epicenter of the Opet Festival.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Investigations were conducted in two coastal cities: Mananjary, the suspected epicenter of the chikungunya epidemic in February, and Manakara.

    Academic text (2012)

  • (124) India, with its large reservoir of English-language skills, has become the epicenter of outsourced information-based services.

    Academic text (2018)

  • The epicenter of the earthquake was located just off the coast, causing significant waves.

How Central

epicenter
  • Specialized
44 6.5
nexus
84 7.9
focus
794 3.5
hub for
9 4.1
center
  • US
∞ 1.0
meeting place
17 1.3
site
∞ 1.2

Surface Forms

epicenter singular
epicenters plural

Morphology

epicenter = center (semi-transparent) = epi + center

Formed from 'epi-' + 'center': 'center' gives a clear clue, but the prefix 'epi-' (meaning 'on/above') is less familiar to average learners and the exact technical sense ('point on the surface above the earthquake focus') is specialized.

Etymology

Epicenter comes from the Greek parts epi- meaning 'on' and center meaning 'middle'. So the epicenter is the spot on the ground that is 'on' the earthquake's middle and usually feels the strongest shaking.