center Meaning & Definition
What Does Center Mean?
As a noun, center means The point in the interior of a circle that is equidistant from all points on the circumference. It is also used to mean The point in the interior of a sphere that is equidistant from all points on the circumference. As an adjective, it means Of, at, or related to a center. As a verb, it means To cause (an object) to occupy the center of an area.
Center: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, adjective, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈsɛn.təː// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | essence, core and pith |
| Antonyms | right, left and edge |
| Plural | centers |
| Verb forms | centers, centering, centered |
Center Definition (Noun)
- The point in the interior of a circle that is equidistant from all points on the circumference.
- The point in the interior of a sphere that is equidistant from all points on the circumference.
- The middle portion of something; the part well away from the edges. The innermost point of the Earth, or the Earth itself, as the center or foundation of the Universe; the center or foundation of the Universe abstractly.
- The innermost point of the Earth, or the Earth itself, as the center or foundation of the Universe; the center or foundation of the Universe abstractly.
- The point on a line that is midway between the ends.
- 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).
The centroid is one of the centres of a triangle
- A point on a triangle's plane that is in some sense in its middle.
There are several centers of a triangle such as its circumcenter, incenter, orthocenter and centroid.
- A place, especially a building or complex, set aside for some specified function or activity.
shopping center, convention center, civic center, garment center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Rockefeller Center
- The ensemble of moderate or centrist political parties.
- The venue in which the head of government in a centralized state is situated.
- A topic that is particularly important in a given context, the element in a subject of cognition, volition or discussion that is perceived as decisive.
the center of the controversy
- A player in the middle of a playing area. The player, generally the tallest, who plays closest to the basket. The forward that generally plays between the left wing and right wing and usually takes the faceoffs. The person who holds the ball at the beginning of each play. A player who can go all over the court, except the shooting circles. A pass played into the centre of the pitch. One of the backs operating in a central area of the pitch, either the inside centre or outside centre.
- The player, generally the tallest, who plays closest to the basket.
- The forward that generally plays between the left wing and right wing and usually takes the faceoffs.
- The person who holds the ball at the beginning of each play.
- A player who can go all over the court, except the shooting circles.
- A pass played into the centre of the pitch.
- One of the backs operating in a central area of the pitch, either the inside centre or outside centre.
- A certain mechanical implement functioning in the middle of a whole apparatus A temporary structure upon which the materials of a vault or arch are supported in position until the work becomes self-supporting. One of the two conical steel pins in a lathe, etc., upon which the work is held, and about which it revolves. 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. The ring in the gambling game two-up in which the spinner operates.
- A temporary structure upon which the materials of a vault or arch are supported in position until the work becomes self-supporting.
- One of the two conical steel pins in a lathe, etc., upon which the work is held, and about which it revolves.
- 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.
- The ring in the gambling game two-up in which the spinner operates.
- The set of those elements (of a given algebraic structure) that commute with every other element, usually denoted Z(G). In the case of (semi-)groups, it is required that they commute under the (semi-)group operation; in the case of rings and (Lie) algebras, under multiplication (i.e. the bracket for Lie algebras)
Center as an Adjective
- Of, at, or related to a center.
Center as a Verb
- To cause (an object) to occupy the center of an area.
He centered the heading of the document.
- To cause (some attribute, such as a mood or voltage) to be adjusted to a value which is midway between the extremes.
- To give (something) a central basis.
- To concentrate on (something), to pay close attention to (something).
The plot centers on the life of a working-class family.
- To form a recess or indentation for the reception of a center.
Noun
- The middle portion of something; the part well away from the edges.
- The subgroup (respectively, subring), denoted Z(G), of those elements of a given group (respectively, ring) G that commute with every element of G.
- 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
- A topic that is particularly important in a given context.
the center of attention
- A player in the middle of the playing area
Synonyms of Center
Antonyms of Center
Center in a Sentence
The centroid is one of the centres of a triangle
There are several centers of a triangle such as its circumcenter, incenter, orthocenter and centroid.
shopping center, convention center, civic center, garment center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Rockefeller Center
the center of the controversy
the center of attention
He centered the heading of the document.
The plot centers on the life of a working-class family.
The discussion centered around the recent issues.
Word Forms & Grammar
center (plural centers)
center (not comparable)
center (third-person singular simple present centers, present participle centering, simple past and past participle centered)
Words That Rhyme With Center
Origin of Center
From Middle English center, centre, from Middle French centre, from Latin centrum, from Ancient Greek κέντρον (kéntron), from κεντεῖν (kenteîn, “to prick, goad”). Doublet of centrum.
How Do You Say Center?
Center is pronounced //ˈsɛn.təː// and has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Center
Is center a noun or an adjective?
Center is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective and a verb.
What is another word for center?
Words with a similar meaning to center include essence, core and pith. See the full list of center synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of center?
The opposite of center can be expressed with words like right, left, edge and periphery.
What is the plural of center?
The plural of center is centers.
What is the past tense of center?
The past tense of center is centered. The present participle is centering.