center stage

noun

1

: the central part of a theatrical stage

2

: a central or highly prominent position

an issue that has taken center stage in the campaign

center stage adjective or adverb

Synonyms

• catbird seat
• limelight
• spotlight
• top billing

Examples of center stage in a Sentence

The actor stood alone at center stage.

As we wrap up work on the old project, a new one moves to center stage.

The issue is expected to take center stage in the elections.

Recent Examples on the Web

But their turn at center stage could be coming soon. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2025

Expected at center stage is Apple’s new iOS, unveiling new features and designs that will ripple through other platforms including laptops, iPads, watches and more. —Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 5 June 2025

The unveiling of the results proved suspenseful, as the league brought its lottery-ball machine to center stage for the first time. —Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Those young stars were center stage in the Sky’s first win of the season and the first for rookie coach Tyler Marsh. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for center stage

• disengage
• interstage
• macrophage
• multistage
• age
• gauge
• phage
• plage
• rage
• wage
• alienage
• assuage