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
Meanwhile, Indianapolis was the epicenter of basketball and culture as the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend delivered unforgettable moments—from Orange Carpet looks to record-breaking plays and viral behind-the-scenes content.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 21 July 2025
At the epicenter is Clay—named because of the high content of clay found in the soil on the property—where executive chef Rob Lawson and executive sous chef Kyle Chandler lean on the land’s produce to curate their creative menu.
—Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
From November through April, Wellington International — just 65 miles north of Miami — becomes the epicenter of global equestrian sport.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Four years ago, Abbott found himself at the epicenter of the accountability process in the days after the 2021 winter storm that inflicted at least 246 deaths in Texas, by the state's official count.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Okla Jones, Essence, 21 July 2025
At the epicenter is Clay—named because of the high content of clay found in the soil on the property—where executive chef Rob Lawson and executive sous chef Kyle Chandler lean on the land’s produce to curate their creative menu.
—Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
From November through April, Wellington International — just 65 miles north of Miami — becomes the epicenter of global equestrian sport.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Four years ago, Abbott found himself at the epicenter of the accountability process in the days after the 2021 winter storm that inflicted at least 246 deaths in Texas, by the state's official count.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for epicenter
Cite this Entry
“Epicenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epicenter. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share