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
Ring While the United States Geological Survey stresses that factors like the distance from the earthquake, type of soil a building is built on and construction design are all key factors, damage begins to occur if an earthquake reaches somewhere between 4 or 5 magnitude.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
During an earlier monologue, Robin talks about the great earthquake that will one day level the Pacific Northwest, and at times his words sound not like a prophecy or a warning, but an oblique recollection of the emotional earthquake that devastated him.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 May 2025
At Kilauea’s summit, there are significant hazards with the crater’s instability, ground cracking and rockfalls, especially after earthquakes.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Drone video captures devastating Burma earthquake aftermath Buildings are flattened in Mandalay, Burma's second-largest city, after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
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Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
During an earlier monologue, Robin talks about the great earthquake that will one day level the Pacific Northwest, and at times his words sound not like a prophecy or a warning, but an oblique recollection of the emotional earthquake that devastated him.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 May 2025
At Kilauea’s summit, there are significant hazards with the crater’s instability, ground cracking and rockfalls, especially after earthquakes.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Drone video captures devastating Burma earthquake aftermath Buildings are flattened in Mandalay, Burma's second-largest city, after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for earthquake
Cite this Entry
“Earthquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthquake. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthquake
noun
earth·quake
ˈərth-ˌkwāk
: a shaking or trembling of a portion of the earth
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