English · Nature & Environment
earthquake
/ˈɜːrθ.kweɪk/
[/ˈɜːrθ.kweɪk/]
ground-shaking event
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A sudden, violent shaking of the ground caused by movement deep within the earth.
Example
The earthquake lasted only seconds, yet it cracked walls and toppled chimneys across the city.
The earthquake lasted only seconds, yet it cracked walls and toppled chimneys across the city.
Etymology
A compound of 'earth' and 'quake', meaning to shake.
How & Where It’s Used
Measured on the Richter or moment-magnitude scale.