epicenter

[ ep-uh-sen-ter ]
/ ˈɛp əˌsɛn tər /

noun

Also epicentrum. Geology. a point, directly above the true center of disturbance, from which the shock waves of an earthquake apparently radiate.
a focal point, as of activity: Manhattan's Chinatown is the epicenter of the city's Chinese community.
Also especially British, ep·i·cen·tre.

Origin of epicenter

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

OTHER WORDS FROM epicenter

ep·i·cen·tral, adjective

Words nearby epicenter

epicardium, epicarp, epicaste, epicedium, epicene, epicenter, epicentre, epicentrum, epichlorohydrin, epicist, epiclesis

Example sentences from the Web for epicentral

Scientific definitions for epicentral

epicenter
[ ĕp′ĭ-sĕn′tər ]

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. See Note at earthquake.