Definition of center
1a : the point around which a circle or sphere is described; broadly : a point that is related to a geometrical figure in such a way that for any point on the figure there is another point on the figure such that a straight line joining the two points is bisected by the original point —called also center of symmetryb : the center of the circle inscribed in a regular (see 1regular 2b) polygon
2a : a point, area, person, or thing that is most important or pivotal in relation to an indicated activity, interest, or condition a railroad center the center of the controversyb : a source from which something originates a propaganda centerc : a group of neurons having a common function respiratory centerd : a region of concentrated population an urban centere : a facility providing a place for a particular activity or service a day-care center a shopping center a medical center
3a : the middle part (as of the forehead or a stage)b often capitalized (1) : a grouping of political figures holding moderate views especially between those of conservatives and liberals (2) : the views of such politicians The party's new policies show a shift toward the center. (3) : the adherents of such views
4a : a player occupying a middle position on a team: such as (1) : the football player in the middle of a line who passes the ball between his legs to a back to start a down (2) : the usually tallest player on a basketball team who usually plays near the basketb : center field
5a : either of two tapered rods which support work in a lathe or grinding machine and about or with which the work revolvesb : a conical recess in the end of work (such as a shaft) for receiving such a center
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Examples of center in a Sentence
the center of the room
The staircase is in the center of the building.
They are at the center of a furious debate over whether or not to expand the city's public transportation system.
The vaccine is being tested at several medical centers around the country.
Origin and Etymology of center
Middle English centre, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin centrum “point of the stationary leg of a pair of compasses, midpoint of a circle or sphere,” borrowed from Greek kéntron “sting, goad, point, stationary point of a pair of compasses, midpoint of a circle or sphere,” probably reshaping (after the base verb kenteîn) of késtron “toothed implement, name for several nettle-like plants,” from kentéō, kenteîn “to sting, goad, prick” (going back to Indo-European *ḱent-, *ḱnt- “sting, prick,” whence Old High German hantag “pointed,” Latvian sīts “hunting spear”) + -tron, suffix of instruments
First Known Use: 14th century
center
Definition of center
centered
;centering
play \ˈsen-t(ə-)riŋ, ˈse-nər-iŋ\transitive verb
1 : to place or fix at or around a center or central area center the picture on the wall
2 : to give a central focus or basis centers her hopes on her son the plot was centered on espionage
3 : to adjust (things, such as lenses) so that the axes coincide
4a : to pass (a ball or puck) from either side toward the middle of the playing areab : to hand or pass (a football) backward between one's legs to a back (see 1back 3) to start a down
5 : to play center (see 1center 4) on center a line in hockey
intransitive verb
: to have a specified center : focus
What prepositions are used with center?
The intransitive verb center is most commonly used with the prepositions in, on, at, and around. At appears to be favored in mathematical contexts; the others are found in a broad range of contexts. Center around, a standard idiom, has often been objected to as illogical. The logic on which the objections are based is irrelevant, since center around is an idiom and idioms have their own logic. Center on is currently more common in edited prose, and revolve around and similar verbs are available if you want to avoid center around.
Examples of center in a Sentence
Center the picture on the wall.
centered administrative duties under the command of a single person
Origin and Etymology of center
derivative of 1center
First Known Use: 1555
CENTER Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of center for English Language Learners
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: the middle point or part of something
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: a person or thing that is causing a lot of interest, argument, etc.
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: the position of a person or thing that is causing a lot of interest, argument, etc.
center
Definition of center for English Language Learners
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: to place (something) in the middle of something
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: to be mainly concerned about or involved with someone or something
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: to cause (something) to be mainly concerned about or involved with something
CENTER Defined for Kids
Definition of center for Students
1 : the middle part of something the center of a room
2 : a person or thing characterized by a particular concentration or activity She likes to be the center of attention.
3 : a place used for a particular purpose day care center
4 : the middle point of a circle or a sphere equally distant from every point on the circumference or surface
5 : a player occupying a middle position on a basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, or soccer team
Definition of center for Students
centered
;centering
1 : to place or fix at or around a center or central area Can you center the picture on the wall?
2 : to collect or concentrate at or around one point, group, or person His life centers around his family.
Medical Dictionary
center
Medical Definition of center
: a group of nerve cells having a common function the brain stem's respiratory center—called also nerve center
Learn More about center
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See words that rhyme with center Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for center Spanish Central: Translation of center Nglish: Translation of center for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of center for Arabic speakers
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