The word epicenterthe point on the surface directly above an earthquake’s origin is mainly used in geologythe science that studies Earth, its rocks, and physical structure. It refers to the point on the Earth’s surface directly above where an earthquake starts undergroundlocated below the ground’s surface, not visible from above. The spelling epicentre is the British form.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈɛpɪˌsɛntər/
Easy pronunciation: EP-i-SEN-ter (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable, with secondary stress on the third syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Epicenter Meaning
the place on the ground directly above where an earthquake begins underground
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake
Example: The city was close to the epicenter of the earthquake.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- epicentre — British spelling of the same word
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Epicenter Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- epicentre
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse epicenter with the center of an event in a general, figurative sense; that is a different usage not supported by the supplied dictionary data.
- Epicenter is the American spelling; epicentre is the British spelling.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does epicenter mean?
Epicenter means the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
Is epicenter the same as epicentre?
Yes. Epicenter and epicentre mean the same thing; epicenter is the American spelling and epicentre is the British spelling.
What part of speech is epicenter?
Epicenter is a noun.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
