center

¹cen·ter

noun \ˈsen-tər, ˈse-nər\

Definition of CENTER

1

a : the point around which a circle or sphere is described; broadly : a point that is related to a geometrical figure in such a way that for any point on the figure there is another point on the figure such that a straight line joining the two points is bisected by the original point —called also center of symmetry b : the center of the circle inscribed in a regular polygon

2

a : a point, area, person, or thing that is most important or pivotal in relation to an indicated activity, interest, or condition <a railroad center> <the center of the controversy> b : a source from which something originates <a propaganda center> c : a group of neurons having a common function <respiratory center> d : a region of concentrated population <an urban center> e : a facility providing a place for a particular activity or service <a day-care center>

3

a : the middle part (as of the forehead or a stage) b often capitalized (1) : a grouping of political figures holding moderate views especially between those of conservatives and liberals (2) : the views of such politicians (3) : the adherents of such views

4

a : a player occupying a middle position on a team: as (1) : the football player in the middle of a line who passes the ball between his legs to a back to start a down (2) : the usually tallest player on a basketball team who usually plays near the basket b : center field

5

a : either of two tapered rods which support work in a lathe or grinding machine and about or with which the work revolves b : a conical recess in the end of work (as a shaft) for receiving such a center

— cen·ter·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of CENTER

1. the center of the room
2. The staircase is in the center of the building.
3. They are at the center of a furious debate over whether or not to expand the city's public transportation system.
4. The vaccine is being tested at several medical centers around the country.

Origin of CENTER

Middle English centre, from Middle French, from Latin centrum, from Greek kentron sharp point, center of a circle, from kentein to prick; probably akin to Old High German hantag pointed

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CENTER

Synonyms: axis, base, capital, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus, ground zero, heart, hub, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat, where it's at

Antonyms: perimeter, periphery

Related Words: headquarters; happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland; kernel, nub, pith; deep, thick; essence, quintessence, soul; attraction, lodestone (also loadstone), magnet, polestar

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Rhymes with CENTER

enter, mentor, renter, tenter, venter