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.

• 🇫🇷Point à la surface de la terre situé directement au-dessus ou au-dessous d'une explosion nucléaire, ou, plus généralement, le centre même d'un événement catastrophique, d'un désastre ou d'une activité intense.

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.

   🇫🇷point zéro

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.

   🇫🇷point de départ

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.

   🇫🇷Zone zéro (site des attentats du 11 septembre)