centre
Americannoun
noun
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geometry
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the midpoint of any line or figure, esp the point within a circle or sphere that is equidistant from any point on the circumference or surface
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the point within a body through which a specified force may be considered to act, such as the centre of gravity
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the point, axis, or pivot about which a body rotates
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a point, area, or part that is approximately in the middle of a larger area or volume
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a place at which some specified activity is concentrated
a shopping centre
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a person or thing that is a focus of interest
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a place of activity or influence
a centre of power
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a person, group, policy, or thing in the middle
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(usually capital) politics
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a political party or group favouring moderation, esp the moderate members of a legislative assembly
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( as modifier )
a Centre-Left alliance
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physiol any part of the central nervous system that regulates a specific function
respiratory centre
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a bar with a conical point upon which a workpiece or part may be turned or ground
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a punch mark or small conical hole in a part to be drilled, which enables the point of the drill to be located accurately
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sport
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a player who plays in the middle of the forward line
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the act or an instance of passing the ball from a wing to the middle of the field, court, etc
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basketball
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the position of a player who jumps for the ball at the start of play
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the player in this position
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archery
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the ring around the bull's eye
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a shot that hits this ring
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verb
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to move towards, mark, put, or be at a centre
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(tr) to focus or bring together
to centre one's thoughts
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to have as a main point of view or theme
the novel centred on crime
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(tr) to adjust or locate (a workpiece or part) using a centre
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(intr; foll by on or round) to have as a centre
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(tr) sport to pass (the ball) into the middle of the field or court
noun
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the sparsely inhabited central region of Australia
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a region of central France: generally low-lying; drained chiefly by the Rivers Loire, Loir, and Cher
Etymology
Origin of centre
C14: from Latin centrum the stationary point of a compass, from Greek kentron needle, from kentein to prick
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The lyrics are happy, but the chords never resolve to the harmonic centre, creating a feeling of instability.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Speaking on The Overlap podcast after the penultimate round of fixtures in May, Keane questioned Fernandes' mindset and described him as being at the centre of a "circus act".
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Despite being classed as a minor road, Turner Road is home to Colchester's hospital and a primary care centre.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Newman said the centre often sees species of turtles released, but snapping turtles were a worry when it came to other wildlife.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
These elements naturally arrange themselves in concentric spheres outwards from the centre of the universe.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.