Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
  • noun The focal point of a usually harmful or unpleasant phenomenon or event; the center.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In seismology, a point on the earth's surface from which earth quake-waves seem to go out as a center. It is situated directly above the true center of disturbance, or seismic focus.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun US Alternative spelling of epicentre.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake

Etymologies

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Examples

  • ReutersAt the time, Mr. Obama noted the war's "enormous costs in lives and resources" but said he was convinced that U.S. security was at stake in what he called the epicenter of violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Obama to Announce Decision on Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 2011

  • ReutersAt the time, Mr. Obama noted the war's "enormous costs in lives and resources" but said he was convinced that U.S. security was at stake in what he called the epicenter of violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Obama to Announce Decision on Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 2011

  • ReutersAt the time, Mr. Obama noted the war's "enormous costs in lives and resources" but said he was convinced that U.S. security was at stake in what he called the epicenter of violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Obama to Announce Decision on Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 2011

  • ReutersAt the time, Mr. Obama noted the war's "enormous costs in lives and resources" but said he was convinced that U.S. security was at stake in what he called the epicenter of violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Obama to Announce Decision on Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 2011

  • ReutersAt the time, Mr. Obama noted the war's "enormous costs in lives and resources" but said he was convinced that U.S. security was at stake in what he called the epicenter of violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Obama to Announce Decision on Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 2011

  • ReutersAt the time, Mr. Obama noted the war's "enormous costs in lives and resources" but said he was convinced that U.S. security was at stake in what he called the epicenter of violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Obama to Announce Decision on Afghanistan Troop Drawdown 2011

  • The glorious thing about shooting for the epicenter is the room for error.

    The Killing Zone 2006

  • The glorious thing about shooting for the epicenter is the room for error.

    The Killing Zone 2006

  • The word epicenter refers to the point on the Earth’s surface above the underground center, or focus, of an earthquake.

    Essential Guide to Business Style and Usage PAUL R. MARTIN 2002

  • The word epicenter refers to the point on the Earth’s surface above the underground center, or focus, of an earthquake.

    Essential Guide to Business Style and Usage PAUL R. MARTIN 2002

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