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Showing results for centering. Search instead for chuntering.
Synonyms

centering

American  
[sen-ter-ing] / ˈsɛn tər ɪŋ /

noun

  1. a temporary framework for supporting a masonry arch during construction until it is able to stand by itself.

centering British  
/ ˈsɛntərɪŋ /

noun

  1. a US spelling of centring

"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

Etymology

Origin of centering

First recorded in 1760–70; center + -ing 1

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.

This time, instead of centering around the private sector, a Treasury crisis could hamper the government’s ability to finance itself.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The vivid language of the novel ‘Playworld’ evokes the carefree early ’80s, centering on the freedoms and seemingly low-stakes perils of their Manhattan.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Rather than centering himself as a victim, he framed the incident as a test of national character, urging Americans to reject political cruelty and recommit to shared democratic values.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026

The full BlueCruise product, which allows hands-free driving, was released in 2021, although some features of the system, such as lane centering and adaptive cruise control, were available earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

When work resumed, the flying buttresses of the choir were completed and the centering was readied for the first stones of the vault.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

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.