ground zero

The point on the earth's surface directly above or below an exploding nuclear bomb, or more generally, the very center of a catastrophic event, disaster, or intense activity.

• 🇪🇸Punto en la superficie terrestre directamente sobre o bajo una bomba nuclear que explota, o, en un sentido más general, el centro mismo de un evento catastrófico, desastre o actividad intensa.

1. Point of explosion C1 formal

   The point on the earth's surface directly above or below an exploding nuclear bomb, or the center of any major explosion.

   • The bomb was detonated at ground zero.
   • Scientists studied the effects of the blast at ground zero.
   • The area around ground zero was completely destroyed.

   🇪🇸Zona cero

2. Starting point or beginning B2 informal american

   The very beginning or starting point of an activity, process, or situation.

   • After the failure, they had to start from ground zero.
   • The project is back at ground zero after the budget cuts.
   • We need to rebuild the company from ground zero.

   🇪🇸punto de partida

3. Site of the 9/11 attacks B2 formal american

   The site of the World Trade Center in New York City, destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

   • A memorial now stands at ground zero in New York.
   • Thousands of people visit ground zero every year to pay their respects.
   • The rebuilding of ground zero took many years.

   🇪🇸Zona cero del 11-S