center
SEHN-tuh
Also spelled centre (UK spelling)
Center (noun) means the point exactly in the middle of something, equally distant from all its edges or sides. Example: “She placed the vase in the center of the table.”
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."
"Cut the cake so that there is a candle at the 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."
"My sister takes a pottery class at the arts center on Saturdays."
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."
"Family has always been the center of his life."
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."
"The team's tall center blocked shots and grabbed most of the rebounds."
"Our coach moved me from the wing to center for the second half."
5
The moderate political position, between left and right.
"The new party is trying to appeal to voters in the center."
"Moderate voters in the center often decide the result of close elections."
"After years in parliament, he moved from the left towards the center."
adj
1
Located in or relating to the middle of something.
"Take the center lane on the motorway."
"The center section of the stage was reserved for the choir."
"Please put the vase in the center spot on the table."
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."
"The documentary centers on a small fishing village and its people."
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".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
center of attention
shopping center
city center
center stage
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Word forms
- Plural
- centers
- Third person singular
- centers
- Past tense
- centered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for center
See all rhymes for center →Frequently asked questions
What does “center” mean?
The word “center” means the point exactly in the middle of something, equally distant from all its edges or sides. In plain terms, the middle point of something, or a place/building built for a specific purpose.
How do you pronounce “center”?
“Center” is pronounced SEHN-tuh (/ˈsɛn.təː/ in IPA).
How do you use “center” in a sentence?
Here is “center” used in a sentence: “She placed the vase in the center of the table.”
What is another word for “center”?
Words with a similar meaning to “center” include centroid, center of gravity, center of mass, middle and midst.
What is the opposite of “center”?
The opposite of “center” — its antonyms — is periphery.
What part of speech is “center”?
Depending on how it is used, “center” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “center” come from?
The word “center” comes from Latin. From Latin centrum, itself from Greek kentron ("sharp point, the fixed point of a compass"), from kentein, "to prick or goad".
Is “center” a common word?
“Center” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between "center" and "centre"?
There is no difference in meaning, only in spelling. "Center" is the standard American English form, while "centre" is used in British English and most Commonwealth countries. Both refer to the exact middle point and are pronounced the same way. Choose the spelling that matches your audience.
What is the difference between center and middle?
They overlap, but "center" is more precise — the single point equally distant from every edge, like the center of a circle. "Middle" is looser, describing a general area between two ends or sides, such as the middle of a room. Every center is in the middle, but not the reverse.
What is an example of a center?
The center of a circle is the point from which every part of the edge is the same distance. A dartboard's bullseye sits at its center, and a see-saw balances on a central pivot. In each case, the center is the exact middle, equally spaced from the outer boundaries.
Can "center" also be a verb?
Yes. Besides naming the middle point, "center" can mean to place something in the middle, as in "center the title on the page." It can also mean to focus or concentrate on something: "the discussion centered on cost." The noun and verb share the same core idea of a middle.
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