English
center
see also: Center
Pronunciation
  • (America) IPA: /ˈsɛn.tɚ/, [ˈsɛɾ̃ɚ]
    • (pin-pen) IPA: [ˈsɪɾ̃ɚ]
  • (British) IPA: /ˈsɛn.tə(ɹ)/
Noun

center (plural centers) (American spelling)

  1. The point in the interior of a circle that is equidistant from all points on the circumference. [from 14th c.]
    • 1908, Thomas L. Heath, translating Euclid, Elements, III.9:
      If a point be taken within a circle, and more than two equal straight lines fall from the point on the circle, the point taken is the centre of the circle.
  2. The point in the interior of a sphere that is equidistant from all points on the circumference. [from 14th c.]
    • 2005, David Adam, The Guardian, 4 Jun 2005:
      Japanese scientists are to explore the centre of the Earth. Using a giant drill ship launched next month, the researchers aim to be the first to punch a hole through the rocky crust that covers our planet and to reach the mantle below.
  3. The middle portion of something; the part well away from the edges.
  4. (geometry) The point on a line that is midway between the ends.
  5. (geometry) The point in the interior of any figure of any number of dimensions that has as its coordinates the arithmetic mean of the coordinates of all points on the perimeter of the figure (or of all points in the interior for a center of volume).
  6. (group theory, ring theory) The subgroup (respectively, subring), denoted Z(G), of those elements of a given group (respectively, ring) G that commute with every element of G.
  7. A place where the greater part of some function or activity occurs.
    shopping center, convention center, civic center, garment center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Rockefeller Center
  8. A topic that is particularly important in a given context.
    the center of the controversy
    the center of attention
  9. (sports) A player in the middle of the playing area
    1. (basketball) The player, generally the tallest, who plays closest to the basket.
    2. (ice hockey) The forward that generally plays between the left wing and right wing and usually takes the faceoffs.
    3. (American football, Canadian football) The person who holds the ball at the beginning of each play.
  10. (netball) A player who can go all over the court, except the shooting circles.
  11. (soccer) A pass played into the centre of the pitch.
  12. (rugby) One of the backs operating in a central area of the pitch, either the inside centre or outside centre.
  13. (architecture) A temporary structure upon which the materials of a vault or arch are supported in position until the work becomes self-supporting.
  14. (engineering) One of the two conical steel pins in a lathe, etc., upon which the work is held, and about which it revolves.
  15. (engineering) A conical recess or indentation in the end of a shaft or other work, to receive the point of a center, on which the work can turn, as in a lathe.
  16. (politics) The ensemble of moderate or centrist political parties.
Synonyms Antonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Adjective

center (not comparable) (American spelling)

  1. Of, at, or related to a center.
Synonyms Translations Verb

center (centers, present participle centering; past and past participle centered) (American spelling)

  1. (transitive) To cause (an object) to occupy the center of an area.
    • Thy joys are centred all in me alone.
    He centered the heading of the document.
  2. (transitive) To cause (some attribute, such as a mood or voltage) to be adjusted to a value which is midway between the extremes.
  3. (transitive) To give (something) a central basis.
    • 2012, Michael Kaminski et al., Myth, Media, and Culture in Star Wars: An Anthology, chapter 7, gbooks :
      However, Lucas also centered the plot around the protection of the secret Death Star plans, which now filled the role of the clan treasure the enemy is seeking in Hidden Fortress; […]
  4. (intransitive) To concentrate on (something), to pay close attention to (something).
    The plot centers on the life of a working-class family.
    The discussion centered around the recent issues.
  5. (engineering) To form a recess or indentation for the reception of a center.
Related terms Translations Translations
  • German: zenterieren, ausmitteln
  • Spanish: mediar, promediar
Translations
Center
Proper noun
  1. Surname
  2. A statutory town in Rio Grande County, and.
  3. An unincorporated community in Jackson County, Georgia.
  4. An unincorporated community in Howard County, Indiana.
  5. An unincorporated community in Jay County, Indiana.
  6. An unincorporated community in Warrick County, Indiana.
  7. An unincorporated community in Metcalfe County, Kentucky.
  8. A small city/and/town in Missouri.
  9. A village/county seat in Knox County, Nebraska.
  10. A small city/county seat in Oliver County, North Dakota.
  11. A city/county seat in Shelby County, Texas.
  12. An unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Washington.
  13. A town in Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
  14. A town in Rock County, Wisconsin.


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