1
: containing or constituting a center
3
a
: situated at, in, or near the center
the central part of the state
b
: easily accessible from outlying districts
a central location for the new theater
4
a
: centrally placed and superseding separate scattered units
central heating
b
: controlling or directing local or branch activities
the central committee
5
: holding to a middle between extremes : moderate
6
: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord
also
: originating within the central nervous system
central deafness
1
: a telephone exchange or operator
2
: a central office or bureau usually controlling others
weather central
3
: a center or hub for a specified activity or group
her house is party central
the family room becomes kid central
Examples of central in a Sentence
Adjective
The house has four rooms and a central chimney.
City planners are looking for a central location for the new hospital.
The evidence was central to the defense's case.
The country's schools are financed by both local and central governments.
The central authority of the company's board is being challenged.
Noun
Our family room becomes kid central on weekends.
a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Recent Examples on the Web
Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
One of these, Tycho crater, will make for an excellent telescope target at this time, as a lip of the 53-mile-wide (85 km) distinctive central impact peak casts strong shadows over the interior of the depression.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 May 2025
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 May 2025
The residence is integrated into its landscape, with a horizontal central from which two wings of the house emerge—one side for bedrooms and bathrooms and the other for entertaining with the living room and dining room.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
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Adjective
Achieving social control is a central theme of China's AGI pursuit.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
One of these, Tycho crater, will make for an excellent telescope target at this time, as a lip of the 53-mile-wide (85 km) distinctive central impact peak casts strong shadows over the interior of the depression.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
Interestingly, it was originally built for a couple known for hosting major events and fundraisers, so the layout is equal parts family-friendly retreat and diplomatic party central.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 May 2025
The residence is integrated into its landscape, with a horizontal central from which two wings of the house emerge—one side for bedrooms and bathrooms and the other for entertaining with the living room and dining room.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
central
adjective
cen·tral
ˈsen-trəl 
1
: of or concerning the centrum of a vertebra
2
a
: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord
b
: originating within the central nervous system : caused by factors originating in the central nervous system
central precocious puberty
3
: affecting or involving the trunk of the body and especially the abdomen
central adiposity
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