central

1 of 2

adjective

cen·​tral ˈsen-trəl How to pronounce central (audio)
1
: containing or constituting a center
2
: of primary importance : essential, principal
the central character of the novel
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
centrally adverb

central

2 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin centrālis, from centrum center entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of central entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of central was in 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

central

adjective
cen·​tral
ˈsen-trəl
1
: containing or being a center
the central office
2
: chief entry 1 sense 2, principal
the central figure in a story
3
: situated at, in, or near the center
the store is in a central location
4
: of, relating to, or consisting of the brain and spinal cord
also : originating within the central nervous system
centrality
sen-ˈtral-ət-ē
noun
centrally
ˈsen-trə-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

central

adjective
cen·​tral ˈsen-trəl How to pronounce central (audio)
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
centrally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on central

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