centerpiece

noun

cen·​ter·​piece ˈsen-tər-ˌpēs 

ˈse-nər-

1

: an object occupying a central position

especially : an adornment in the center of a table

2

: one that is of central importance or interest in a larger whole

the centerpiece of a political agenda

Synonyms

• core
• essence
• heart
• root
• kernel
• point

Examples of centerpiece in a Sentence

resolution of the original dispute became the centerpiece of the negotiations

Recent Examples on the Web

Neom is a $500‑billion‑plus ultra‑modern development, anchoring projects like The Line, a centerpiece linear city, the Trojena desert ski resort, the Oxagon port and floating industrial complex and a massive green‑hydrogen complex. —MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

The opening film is about the first woman to climb Everest; the centerpiece, Tokyo Taxi, is about the journey of an elderly woman from her house to a nursing home; and the closing film is Hamnet, directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, about Shakespeare’s wife. —Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025

This special event is a three‑day homage to Día de los Muertos with marigold garlands, papel picado, an altar centerpiece, DJs and agave tastings. —Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025

But that is exactly why Cincinnati Ballet artistic director Cervilio Miguel Amador wanted to make this work one of the centerpieces of the 2025-2026 season. —David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for centerpiece

• altarpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• masterpiece
• pilates
• summarise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise

Kids Definition

centerpiece

noun

cen·​ter·​piece ˈsent-ər-ˌpēs 

: a piece put in the center of something and especially a decoration (as flowers) for the center of a table