central

1 of 2

adjective

cen·​tral ˈsen-trəl 

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

ˈsen-trə-lē 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• main
• primary
• predominant
• highest
• dominant
• greatest
• big
• foremost

Noun

• center
• capital
• hub
• mecca
• core
• focus
• heart
• base
• nucleus

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

Adjective

There is still a risk for more rain in central Texas. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen takes part in the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 5, 2025.... —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025

Noun

Furthermore, research shows that a deficiency in gut germs that produce butyrate (a short-chain fatty acid central to the health of the gut-brain axis) can cause fatigue.67 4. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025

As the World Cup approaches, with Vancouver central to the country’s role in hosting it, the Whitecaps are mirroring Canada’s national team in more ways than one. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing central

• central angle
• central bank
• central casting
• central city
• central heating
• central limit theorem
• central line
• central locking
• central nervous system
• central processing unit
• central reservation
• central tendency
• central time
• from/out of central casting

Rhymes for central

• ventral
• anteroventral
• posteroventral
• dorsoventral
• epicentral
• precentral

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 

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

-trə-lē 

adverb