ground zero

noun
1.
the point on the surface of the earth or water directly below, directly above, or at which an atomic or hydrogen bomb explodes.
2.
( sometimes initial capital letters ) the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
3.
Informal. the very beginning or most elementary level: Some of the students are starting from ground zero.

Origin:
1945–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
ground zero
 
n
1.  a point on the surface of land or water at or directly above or below the centre of a nuclear explosion
2.  a scene of great devastation
3.  (sometimes capitals) the name given to the devastated site of the collapsed World Trade Center towers in New York after September 11 2001

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Ground zero is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Example sentences
Unfortunately, the site was ground zero for an overpopulated pack-rat colony.
They're at ground zero in the war against narco-trafficking, illegal
  immigration, and terrorism.
Community colleges are both ground zero for retraining and a huge source of
  online growth.
Properties in those areas--condominiums especially--have been ground zero for
  real estate speculation over the past five years.
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