centerpiece

[ sen-ter-pees ]

noun

1. an ornamental object used in a central position, especially on the center of a dining-room table.
2. the central or outstanding point or feature:

   The centerpiece of the evening was a play put on by the employees.

Word History and Origins

Origin of centerpiece¹

First recorded in 1830–40; center + piece

Example Sentences

“Unheard” is a centerpiece of the ongoing investigation into sexual violence Alaska by the Daily News and ProPublica.

From ProPublica

The centerpiece of your Super Bowl party can be brought to life outside through an outdoor digital projector.

From Popular-Science

The centerpiece of it all, the eponymous palace, would make a Bond villain wince.

From Time

Inflating the power and influence of lefty Twitter scolds is a centerpiece of the Fox News business model.

From Washington Post

We chose our centerpiece flowers through a process of sending photos back and forth.

From Fortune

And, just like Katniss, we need rules that make solidarity a centerpiece of shared life, not a desperate act of rebellion.

From The Daily Beast

Walters's battle to put her abusive husband behind bars is the centerpiece of Cynthia Hill's documentary.

From The Daily Beast

American airpower will be the centerpiece of U.S. direct action against the so-called Islamic State.

From The Daily Beast

They boil the leaves of the guayusa tree in the gurgling centerpiece, and gently sip its tea-like drink.

From The Daily Beast

As Lee Fang recounted at The Nation, Obama made them a centerpiece of his campaign.

From The Daily Beast

All this time he had been revealing an unexpected enthusiasm for the little purple forest of lilacs in the centerpiece.

From Project Gutenberg

Decorate the table with centerpiece and plate mats or large white cloth with bowl of flowers or fruits in the center.

From Project Gutenberg

A large wreath and a low bowl of nut burrs and sprays of bright leaves and berries make a gorgeous centerpiece.

From Project Gutenberg

In setting the table have a pumpkin vase of ferns and yellow and white chrysanthemums for the centerpiece.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Packard settled the matter by removing the huge centerpiece to a side table.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• climax
• focal point