GROUND ZERO Definition & Meaning

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ground zero

noun

the point on the surface of the earth or water directly below, directly above, or at which an atomic or hydrogen bomb explodes.
(sometimes initial capital letters) the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Informal. the very beginning or most elementary level:
Some of the students are starting from ground zero.

ground zero

noun

a point on the surface of land or water at or directly above or below the centre of a nuclear explosion
a scene of great devastation
sometimes capitals the name given to the devastated site of the collapsed World Trade Center towers in New York after September 11 2001

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of ground zero¹

First recorded in 1945–50

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

California has been ground zero for the H5N1 bird flu since last March.

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“Getting the piece of legislation passed is not as hard as guarding it,” said John Feal, who was injured at the 9/11 ground zero site while working as a demolition supervisor.

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California is ground zero for the H5N1 bird flu virus in dairy cattle and dairy workers.

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Now, he worries that the landfill will become ground zero for a dangerous experiment in which government officials are blurring the lines between what constitutes a hazardous waste facility and a municipal landfill.

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Kayyem will initially work out of Caruso’s offices at the Grove and will later move to “ground zero” in the Palisades, Caruso said.

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