centre

[ sen-ter ]

/ ˈsɛn tər /

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noun, verb, cen·tred, cen·tring.Chiefly British.

center.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use centre in a sentence

These centres of academic excellence, it appears, are also breeding grounds for eating disorders.
Are Britain’s Private Schools Breeding Grounds For Anorexia?|Emma Woolf|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The general trade centres round Willenhall, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
He has represented Lowestoft at St. Stephen's—one of the most important fishing centres in the country—for many years past.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, April 28, 1920|Various
The proximity of Asia and the remoteness from civilised centres were scarcely perceptible.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

The scene is very amusing, and most of the interest centres in the foreground, where a coach is seen, about to start.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
But the immediate interest centres in the fateful attempt to relieve the castle of Stirling.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison

British Dictionary definitions for centre (1 of 2)

centre

US center

/ (ˈsɛntə) /

noun

geometry

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
the point within a body through which a specified force may be considered to act, such as the centre of gravity

the point, axis, or pivot about which a body rotates

a point, area, or part that is approximately in the middle of a larger area or volume

a place at which some specified activity is concentrateda shopping centre

a person or thing that is a focus of interest

a place of activity or influencea centre of power

a person, group, policy, or thing in the middle

(usually capital) politics

a political party or group favouring moderation, esp the moderate members of a legislative assembly
(as modifier)a Centre-Left alliance

physiol any part of the central nervous system that regulates a specific functionrespiratory centre

a bar with a conical point upon which a workpiece or part may be turned or ground

a punch mark or small conical hole in a part to be drilled, which enables the point of the drill to be located accurately

sport

a player who plays in the middle of the forward line
the act or an instance of passing the ball from a wing to the middle of the field, court, etc

basketball

the position of a player who jumps for the ball at the start of play
the player in this position

archery

the ring around the bull's eye
a shot that hits this ring

verb

to move towards, mark, put, or be at a centre

(tr) to focus or bring togetherto centre one's thoughts

(intr often foll by on) to have as a main point of view or themethe novel centred on crime

(tr) to adjust or locate (a workpiece or part) using a centre

(intr; foll by on or round) to have as a centre

(tr) sport to pass (the ball) into the middle of the field or court

Word Origin for centre

C14: from Latin centrum the stationary point of a compass, from Greek kentron needle, from kentein to prick

British Dictionary definitions for centre (2 of 2)

Centre

noun

the Centre (ˈsɛntə) the sparsely inhabited central region of Australia

(French sɑ̃trə) a region of central France: generally low-lying; drained chiefly by the Rivers Loire, Loir, and Cher

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012