nerve center

noun

1
2
: a source of leadership, organization, control, or energy
the financial nerve center of the nation

Examples of nerve center in a Sentence

the economic nerve center of a nation Wall Street's undisputed status as the nerve center for the world of high finance.
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.
The base is a critical nerve center for American forces and operations in the Middle East from its perch in the central Gulf. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 June 2025 This serves to emphasize northwest Connecticut’s status as a nerve center for world-class artistic talent, as well as the hotels’ commitment to that tradition. Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025 The National Response Coordination Center is the nerve center for FEMA during emergencies. Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 11 June 2025 Comprised of cross-functional initiative teams (to work on specific projects), the nerve center can tackle the full range of potential tariff impacts on different parts of the company. Curt Mueller, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve center

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve center was in 1868

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Cite this Entry

“Nerve center.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20center. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

nerve center

noun

Medical Definition

nerve center

noun
: center
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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