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 (see regular entry 1 sense 3b) 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
a shopping center
a medical 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
The party's new policies show a shift toward the center.
(3)
: the adherents of such views
4
a
: a player occupying a middle position on a team: such 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
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 (such as a shaft) for receiving such a center
centered; centering
ˈsen-t(ə-)riŋ 
ˈse-nər-iŋ
1
: to place or fix at or around a center or central area
center the picture on the wall
2
: to give a central focus or basis
centers her hopes on her son
the plot was centered on espionage
3
: to adjust (things, such as lenses) so that the axes coincide
4
a
: to pass (a ball or puck) from either side toward the middle of the playing area
b
: to hand or pass (a football) backward between one's legs to a back (see back entry 1 sense 3) to start a down
5
: to play center (see center entry 1 sense 4) on
center a line in hockey
: to have a specified center : focus
What prepositions are used with center?: Usage Guide
The intransitive verb center is most commonly used with the prepositions in, on, at, and around. At appears to be favored in mathematical contexts; the others are found in a broad range of contexts. Center around, a standard idiom, has often been objected to as illogical. The logic on which the objections are based is irrelevant, since center around is an idiom and idioms have their own logic. Center on is currently more common in edited prose, and revolve around and similar verbs are available if you want to avoid center around.
Synonyms
Examples of center in a Sentence
Noun
the center of the room
The staircase is in the center of the building.
They are at the center of a furious debate over whether or not to expand the city's public transportation system.
The vaccine is being tested at several medical centers around the country.
Verb
Center the picture on the wall.
centered administrative duties under the command of a single person
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
How to find the cheapest fuel Metro Phoenix already is gaining increasing recognition in related fields such as data centers, where a recent report ranked the area sixth highest globally.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Across the path of totality, viewers gathered at parks, science centers, schools and other community centers to take in the scene.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
Colleges and science centers across California, including UC Irvine, Cal State Los Angeles and the California Science Center are hosting eclipse viewing parties.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Located on Markham Hill, the hotel will feature an event center, member's club and restaurants, as well as an event space in the barn, according to a press release.
—Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024
The Chamber of Commerce contracts with the city to maintain an office that’s open 35 hours a week to serve as a visitor’s center for the city and provide resources and support for local businesses.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
The researchers slowly uncovered several residential buildings: one at the center of the farm and others expanding outward, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
At the center of the challenge against the drug is Erin Morrow Hawley, a lawyer with the conservative Christian legal group the Alliance Defending Freedom and the wife of Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2024
Major football tournaments provide less of a boost to the chain than rival operators because JD Wetherspoon only shows the big games and is less centered around sports.
—Chloé Meley, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024
The movement is part of a wave of student organizing at U.S. colleges and universities centering around everything from the affordability of higher education and representation to who has access to a diverse array of course offerings and workplace safety concerns.
—Leah Willingham, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2024
There are a few notable groupings that will likely remain unchanged, such as the line of Sam Bennett centering Matthew Tkachuk and Verhaeghe (when healthy) plus Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen remaining together on their line.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Aerial photos show that the innermost stones form a rough circle, about 40 feet across, centered around the tall monolith, with the remains of a small cairn, or chambered tomb, a few feet away.
—Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
This film details a love triangle centered around Tashi (Zendaya), a tennis prodigy who begins a romantic relationship with two other professional tour players, Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O'Connor).
—Valentine Servant-Ulgu, Glamour, 6 Apr. 2024
The earthquake was centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Map shows area affected by a 4.7 earthquake, centered in New Jersey, on April 5. 2024.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
Packed to the rafters with the latest amenities, the yacht holds a diving center, a decompression chamber, and two helipads.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
How to find the cheapest fuel Metro Phoenix already is gaining increasing recognition in related fields such as data centers, where a recent report ranked the area sixth highest globally.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Across the path of totality, viewers gathered at parks, science centers, schools and other community centers to take in the scene.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
Colleges and science centers across California, including UC Irvine, Cal State Los Angeles and the California Science Center are hosting eclipse viewing parties.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Located on Markham Hill, the hotel will feature an event center, member's club and restaurants, as well as an event space in the barn, according to a press release.
—Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024
The Chamber of Commerce contracts with the city to maintain an office that’s open 35 hours a week to serve as a visitor’s center for the city and provide resources and support for local businesses.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
The researchers slowly uncovered several residential buildings: one at the center of the farm and others expanding outward, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
At the center of the challenge against the drug is Erin Morrow Hawley, a lawyer with the conservative Christian legal group the Alliance Defending Freedom and the wife of Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
The movie imagines a worst-case scenario in which American society unravels beyond comprehension, and centers the frontline journalists trying to make sense of the ensuing chaos.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2024
Major football tournaments provide less of a boost to the chain than rival operators because JD Wetherspoon only shows the big games and is less centered around sports.
—Chloé Meley, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024
The movement is part of a wave of student organizing at U.S. colleges and universities centering around everything from the affordability of higher education and representation to who has access to a diverse array of course offerings and workplace safety concerns.
—Leah Willingham, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2024
There are a few notable groupings that will likely remain unchanged, such as the line of Sam Bennett centering Matthew Tkachuk and Verhaeghe (when healthy) plus Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen remaining together on their line.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Aerial photos show that the innermost stones form a rough circle, about 40 feet across, centered around the tall monolith, with the remains of a small cairn, or chambered tomb, a few feet away.
—Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
This film details a love triangle centered around Tashi (Zendaya), a tennis prodigy who begins a romantic relationship with two other professional tour players, Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O'Connor).
—Valentine Servant-Ulgu, Glamour, 6 Apr. 2024
The earthquake was centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Map shows area affected by a 4.7 earthquake, centered in New Jersey, on April 5. 2024.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'center.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near center
Cite this Entry
“Center.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/center. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
center
1 of 2 noun
cen·ter
ˈsent-ər
1
: the point inside a circle or sphere that is an equal distance from all the points on the edge
2
a
: a place in or around which an activity takes place or from which something begins
the center of the scandal
b
: a place for a particular activity or service
a day-care center
c
: a group of neurons that have a common purpose
respiratory center
3
: the middle part (as of a stage)
4
: a player occupying a middle position on a team
center
2 of 2 verb
centered; centering
ˈsent-ə-riŋ
ˈsen-triŋ
1
: to place or fix at or around a center or central area
2
: to give a central focus
the story is centered on his adventures
3
: to collect at or around a center
Medical Definition
center
noun
cen·ter
variants
or chiefly British centre
: a group of nerve cells having a common function
the brain stem's respiratory center
called also nerve center
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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