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

But when they get bulked up with more substantial ingredients, such as meat, beans or bread, salads can easily become a centerpiece-worthy way to feed a crowd. —Victoria Caruso, Washington Post, 10 May 2026

The park’s centerpiece fountain was named after the Exchange Club of Naperville, a civic service organization that was a major donor for the park when it was constructed about two decades ago. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

If progressives continue to make LGBT issues the centerpiece of their policy agenda, African-American Christians who vote Democrat will be forced to decide whether their politics are guided by their Bible — or their Black card. —Delano Squires, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026

Dress up your patio, display them as a centerpiece on your outdoor dining table, or prop them on a ledge for instant color and fragrance. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 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