seismic

adjective

seis·​mic ˈsīz-mik 

ˈsīs-

1

: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake

also : of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (such as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite)

2

: of or relating to a vibration on a celestial body (such as the moon) comparable to a seismic event on earth

3

: having a strong or widespread impact : earthshaking

seismic social changes

seismically

ˈsīz-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of seismic in a Sentence

Seismic social changes have occurred.

Recent Examples on the Web

Realignments are seismic, like Franklin Delano Roosevelt creating the New Deal coalition, or the departure of Black Americans from the Republican Party during the Civil Rights era. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

The East Coast is also less broken up by fault lines, which could interrupt seismic waves, than the West Coast is. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

The unresolved angst facing HCA was clear at a recent San Jose Planning Commission meeting, where the advisory body recommended that the City Council deny its request to rezone Good Samaritan’s campus to build a new facility in compliance with state seismic laws and expand operations. —Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024

The big picture: The broadcast resurgence is part of a seismic sports media shift that's taking the industry back to the 1980s. —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek seismos shock, earthquake, from seiein to shake; probably akin to Avestan thwaēshō fear

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing seismic

• seismic shift

Kids Definition

seismic

adjective

seis·​mic ˈsīz-mik 

ˈsīs-

: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake or an earth vibration caused by something else (as an explosion)