ground zero

noun

1
: the point directly above, below, or at which a nuclear explosion occurs
2
: the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
broadly : center sense 2a
the party town that served as ground zero for those corporate … bashes Rich Eisen
3
: the very beginning : square one

Examples of ground zero in a Sentence

ground zero in the battle over immigration laws a city that was once ground zero for the insurance industry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Georgia was ground zero for Trump’s claims about the election being stolen in 2020. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 Shipping ports are ground zero for the emerging hydrogen economy. David Blekhman, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 Florida has made headlines in recent months as ground zero for the climate-change insurance crisis. Molly Taft, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024 In 2024, Milwaukee, and Wisconsin more broadly, is ground zero for the fight for the White House. Galen Druke, ABC News, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ground zero 

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground zero was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near ground zero

Cite this Entry

“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20zero. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ground zero

noun
1
: the site of a nuclear explosion
2
: the center of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
3
: the very beginning : square one

More from Merriam-Webster on ground zero

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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