hub

/hʌb/ (bre, ipa) · /hʌb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhəb/ (ame, mw)

hub — noun

  • hubsingular
  • hubsplural

1. a place such as a city, airport, or building where a lot of important activity h

1.名詞B1
釋義

a place such as a city, airport, or building where a lot of important activity happens — for example, where flights connect, business deals are made, or people meet for cultural events

例句

Dubai has become a major business hub for companies working across the Middle East and Asia.

collocation: business hub / transport hub / cultural hub

The new library in central Osaka functions as a community hub with meeting rooms and a café.

同義詞
  • center

    more general; any middle point or main area, not necessarily where things connect

  • focal point

    more formal; emphasizes where attention or activity gathers

  • heart

    figurative and emotional; the most vital or lively part

反義詞
  • periphery

    the outer edge or boundary of an area

  • outskirts

    the less central parts of a city or region

用法筆記

Frequently paired with a preceding noun that names the type of activity (business hub, cultural hub, transport hub) — the description tells the reader what kind of center the place is.

常見錯誤

❌The new station is the hub of the wheel.
✅The new station is a major transport hub for the region.
💡Hub in this sense describes a center of activity, not a physical part of a wheel.
❌We met at the library because it is a wheel hub for students.
✅We met at the library because it is a social hub for students.
💡Use 'social hub' or 'community hub', not terms from sense 2.

2. the solid middle piece of a wheel, to which the spokes are attached and through

2.名詞B2
釋義

the solid middle piece of a wheel, to which the spokes are attached and through which the axle passes

例句

The blacksmith carefully fitted each spoke into the iron hub of the wagon wheel.

collocation: [metal] hub + spoke + wheel

A small crack in the bicycle hub caused the wheel to wobble on every ride.

同義詞
  • center

    more general; the middle point of a circular object

  • nave

    technical term for the hub of a wheel in engineering contexts

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 by the physical mechanical context — if the sentence mentions spokes, axle, rim, or a specific vehicle (bicycle, cart, wagon), sense 2 is intended.

常見錯誤

❌The bike's hub was loose, so I tightened the handlebars.
✅The bike's hub was loose, so I tightened the spokes.
💡The hub connects the spokes to the axle, not the handlebars.
❌I bought a new hub for my living room.
✅I bought a new hub for my bicycle wheel.
💡Hub in its physical sense refers to a wheel part, not a piece of furniture or a room.