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 of centerpiece

• 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

Then the city got the idea to turn all of it into a park with the ruins as the centerpiece. — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Zimmer’s live shows allow for these compositions to exist in a different life, making music originally written to accompany scenes on screen into the centerpiece of a full-scale arena production. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026

The result is an event that mixes coffee and cold plunges with music and fitness, recreating the party atmosphere around a completely different centerpiece. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

The bigger shift is that alcohol doesn’t have to be the default centerpiece of every social occasion. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for centerpiece

• altarpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• masterpiece
• pilates
• specialise
• stabilise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice

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