earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk 
1
: a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin
2
Examples of earthquake in a Sentence
a building destroyed by earthquake
the San Andreas Fault is notorious for its earthquakes
Recent Examples on the Web
Berti also warned that aftershocks are common, and Idaho may feel additional earthquakes Monday or over the next few days.
—
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
The most recent comparable earthquake in the area struck in 2012, when a 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit Hollis Center, Maine.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
In the first major sale of the year, Lionsgate has pre-emptively purchased the big concept earthquake short story After Shock for a sum in the mid-six-figure purchase-price range.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.
—New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for earthquake 
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Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
The most recent comparable earthquake in the area struck in 2012, when a 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit Hollis Center, Maine.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
In the first major sale of the year, Lionsgate has pre-emptively purchased the big concept earthquake short story After Shock for a sum in the mid-six-figure purchase-price range.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.
—New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for earthquake
Dictionary Entries Near earthquake
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthquake. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk
: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth
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