center stage

noun

Updated on: 25 May 2018

Definition of center stage

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

See center stage defined for English-language learners

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 of center stage from the Web

For most historians, Washington’s partnerships and rivalries with his fellow founding fathers, other internal disputes, and dealings with European powers have taken center stage.

— peter cozzens, WSJ, "‘The Indian World of George Washington’ and ‘Young Washington’ Review: Rivals and Partners in a New World," 18 May 2018
These airfields and hangars, filled with the ghosts of spy planes past, slumbered as L.A.’s celebrity associations took center stage.

— geoff manaugh, The Atlantic, "Los Angeles, America’s Future Spaceport," 17 May 2018
JOHN NBC News did take center stage again this year, with Lester Holt rattling off a list of stats and superlatives about how great everything is at the network’s news division!

— New York Times, "NBC Tries to Dazzle Advertisers With Jennifer Lopez and Simon Cowell," 14 May 2018
This should be the first Marvel movie where the sidekick takes center stage.

— jermaine fowler, GQ, "Black Panther," 14 May 2018
High school baseball is at an all-time high in Arizona, and two of the marquee players in the country, who could be taken among the first 15 picks in June's MLB draft, take center stage Friday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Top prospects, coaching, parity make for exciting high school baseball finishes," 10 May 2018
On Tuesday evening, director Asghar Farhadi’s Spanish-language drama, Everybody Knows, took center stage at the Palais de Festivals, with stars Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz in the spotlight.

— andrea mandell, USA TODAY, "Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz get standing ovation on Cannes opening night for 'Everybody Knows'," 9 May 2018
Hip-hop took center stage Sunday for the return of Jmblya at Sam Houston Race Park.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Jmblya returns to Houston with J. Cole, Migos and Young Thug," 6 May 2018
The process that had been an undercurrent has now taken center stage and is set to get off and running.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "GM Jon Horst, Bucks looking for right fit as coaching search begins," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'center stage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of center stage

1875

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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center stage Synonyms

CENTER STAGE Defined for English Language Learners

center stage

noun

Definition of center stage for English Language Learners

: the middle section of a theater's stage
: a main or very important position

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center stage

Definition of center stage

center stage

Examples of center stage in a Sentence

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CENTER STAGE Defined for English Language Learners

center stage

Definition of center stage for English Language Learners

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center stage

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center stage

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CENTER STAGE Defined for English Language Learners

center stage

Definition of center stage for English Language Learners

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