central

¹cen·tral

adjective \ˈsen-trəl\

Definition of CENTRAL

1

: containing or constituting a center

2

: of primary importance : essential, principal <the central character of the novel>

3

a : situated at, in, or near the center

b : easily accessible from outlying districts <a central location for the new theater>

4

a : centrally placed and superseding separate scattered units <central heating>

b : controlling or directing local or branch activities <the central committee>

5

: holding to a middle between extremes : moderate

6

: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord; also : originating within the central nervous system <central deafness>

— cen·tral·ly \-trə-lē\ adverb

Examples of CENTRAL

1. The house has four rooms and a central chimney.
2. City planners are looking for a central location for the new hospital.
3. The evidence was central to the defense's case.
4. The country's schools are financed by both local and central governments.
5. The central authority of the company's board is being challenged.

Origin of CENTRAL

Latin centralis, from centrum center

First Known Use: 1647

Related to CENTRAL

Synonyms

arch, big, capital, cardinal, foremost, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms

last, least

Related Words

distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms

inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

Rhymes with CENTRAL

ventral

²central

noun

Definition of CENTRAL

1

: a telephone exchange or operator

2

: a central office or bureau usually controlling others <weather central>

3

: a center or hub for a specified activity or group <her house is party central> <the family room becomes kid central>

Examples of CENTRAL

1. Our family room becomes kid central on weekends.
2. <a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area>

First Known Use of CENTRAL

1889

Related to CENTRAL

Synonyms

axis, base, capital, center, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus, ground zero, heart, hub, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat

Related Words

headquarters; happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland; kernel, nub, pith; deep, thick; essence, quintessence, soul; attraction, lodestone (also loadstone), magnet, polestar

cen·tral

adjective \ˈsen-trəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CENTRAL

1

: of or concerning the centrum of a vertebra

2

a : of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord b : originating within the central nervous system : caused by factors originating in the central nervous system <central precocious puberty>

3

: affecting or involving the trunk of the body and especially the abdomen <central adiposity>

—cen·tral·ly \-trə-lē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb