noun
center
SEHN-tuh
noun
1
The point exactly in the middle of something, equally distant from all its edges or sides.
"She placed the vase in the center of the table."
"The dartboard has a small red circle at its center."
2
A building or place set up for a particular activity or purpose.
"They dropped the kids off at the community center."
"The new shopping center opens next month."
3
The main topic, focus, or most important part of something.
"Climate policy was the center of the debate."
"She has always been the center of attention at parties."
4
In sports such as basketball, hockey, or football, a player positioned in the middle of the field or court.
"The center snapped the ball to start the play."
5
The moderate political position, between left and right.
"The new party is trying to appeal to voters in the center."
adj
1
Located in or relating to the middle of something.
"Take the center lane on the motorway."
verb
1
To place something in the middle, or to make it the main focus.
"Center the image on the page before printing."
"The campaign centered on lowering taxes."
How to Use Center
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe middle point of something, or a place/building built for a specific purpose.
UK vs US
US English spells it "center"; UK, Canadian, Australian, and most other English spells it "centre".
Common pairings
center of attention
shopping center
city center
center stage
Word Forms
centered past tense, centers plural, centers singular
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She placed the vase in the _____ of the table.
Etymology
From Latin centrum, itself from Greek kentron ("sharp point, the fixed point of a compass"), from kentein, "to prick or goad".