What does epicentre mean?
The epicentre is the point on the earth's surface lying directly above the underground origin — the hypocentre or focus — of an earthquake. Because seismic waves radiate outward from this point, it is usually where shaking is most intense, which explains the word's powerful figurative extension: journalists and writers regularly describe a city as the 'epicentre' of a financial crisis, epidemic, or cultural movement to signal that it is where events are concentrated and most severe. The word derives from Greek elements meaning 'upon' plus 'centre', entering English in the nineteenth century as seismology matured as a science. British English spells it 'epicentre', while American English prefers 'epicenter'. Though rooted in geology, its metaphorical use has become so widespread that it now dominates everyday writing, lending any sentence a tone of precision and gravity.
nounThe point on the earth's surface directly above the focus (hypocentre) of an earthquake. By extension, the central point or focal area of any significant activity or event.
- The point on the earth's surface directly above the origin (focus) of an earthquake.
- The figurative centre or focal point of an activity, event, or condition.
"The village lay at the epicentre of the earthquake and suffered the heaviest damage."
"Seismologists measured the tremor's epicentre just off the coast."
"The city became the epicentre of the country's tech boom."
Standard British plural; American English uses 'epicenters'.
"Aftershocks produced several distinct epicentres across the region."
The 'epi' in epicentre doesn't mean 'biggest' — it's Greek for 'upon', marking the exact spot on the surface above an earthquake's underground origin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epicentre
Epicentre comes from the Greek prefix epi- ('upon' or 'over') combined with 'centre', via French 'épicentre'. It was coined in the nineteenth century within seismology to name the surface point above an earthquake's focus. The related term 'hypocentre' (Greek hypo-, 'under') was formed in parallel for the subterranean point of origin. Its Greek roots make it a cousin of many scientific terms built with epi-, such as 'epidermis' and 'epilogue'.
How epicentre is actually used
The spelling 'epicentre' is standard in British English; American English typically uses 'epicenter'. The figurative sense ('epicentre of the crisis') is now extremely common, especially in journalism, though purists sometimes prefer it reserved for seismology. It carries a slightly formal register.
Easily confused with epicentre
The hypocentre is the point underground where an earthquake originates, while the epicentre is the point on the surface directly above it.