centered

adjective cen·tered \ ˈsen-tərd , ˈse-nərd \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of centered

1 : having a center —often used in combination

a dark-centered coneflower

2 : having a center of curvature —often used in combination

a 3-centered arch

3 : emotionally stable and secure

—

centeredness

play \-nəs\ noun

See centered defined for English-language learners

Examples of centered in a Sentence

She struggled with depression for years, but she's more centered now and able to live a full life.

Recent Examples of centered from the Web

But this year’s robust lineup of women and topical, female-centered events indicates a likely shift in the air.

— brandon yu, San Francisco Chronicle, "Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley: Literary resistance," 21 Apr. 2018
Those who go to court, though, face a legal system heavily influenced by male-centered views.

— youkyung lee, The Christian Science Monitor, "#MeToo takes off in South Korea, but how far will it go?," 22 Mar. 2018
The nightlife is plentiful and centered right outside Petco Park in the Gaslamp Quarter.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "In Signing Flawed Hosmer, Padres Make a Statement About Their Future," 18 Feb. 2018
The ingredients are super clean and pure, centered on organic cacao powder, cacao butter, coconut oil, cacao nibs, and a bit of agave and sea salt.

— molly kimball, NOLA.com, "5 sweet (some spicy) healthy Valentine's Day treats for your sweetie," 6 Feb. 2018
Kevin Clay, as Mormon poster-child Elder Price, has the charm to keep his self-centered character likable and scores with his pitiable downfall.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Excellent 'Book of Mormon' still welcome anytime," 14 Dec. 2017
Altogether, such distributed, ongoing, real-time data collection and social connection has the potential to create a more patient-centered health care that supplements or even obviates traditional therapist- or drug-based care.

— david dobbs, Slate Magazine, "A Sane Person’s Privacy Nightmare," 25 Sep. 2017
Our group of reporters, fitness influencers, and all-around badass women bent our bodies into downward dog, pigeon pose, and more as the instructors encouraged us to feel calm and centered.

— allison underhill, Health.com, "I Tried a HIIT Workout With Nina Dobrev’s Trainer and Totally Killed It, But I’m Still Sore," 25 July 2017
Americans deserve a superior, patient-centered health system.’’

— tracy seipel, The Mercury News, "GOP health plan would be devastating for poor, California officials say," 22 Mar. 2017

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

First Known Use of centered

1829

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CENTERED Defined for English Language Learners

centered

adjective

Definition of centered for English Language Learners

: mainly concerned about or involved with something specified
: having a specified kind of center
: emotionally healthy and calm

Learn More about centered

Nglish: Translation of centered for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of centered for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up centered? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

centered

Definition of centered

centeredness

Examples of centered in a Sentence

Recent Examples of centered from the Web

First Known Use of centered

CENTERED Defined for English Language Learners

centered

Definition of centered for English Language Learners

Learn More about centered

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

petard

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

A Matter-of-Fact Look at 'Deadpan'

9 Words from the Magical Realm

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

centered

Definition of centered

centeredness

Examples of centered in a Sentence

Recent Examples of centered from the Web

First Known Use of centered

CENTERED Defined for English Language Learners

centered

Definition of centered for English Language Learners

Learn More about centered

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word