central

1 of 2

adjective

cen·​tral ˈsen-trəl How to pronounce central (audio)
1
: containing or constituting a center
2
: of primary importance : essential, principal
the central character of the novel
3
a
: situated at, in, or near the center
the central part of the state
b
: easily accessible from outlying districts
a central location for the new theater
4
a
: centrally placed and superseding separate scattered units
central heating
b
: controlling or directing local or branch activities
the central committee
5
: holding to a middle between extremes : moderate
6
: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord
also : originating within the central nervous system
central deafness
centrally adverb

central

2 of 2

noun

1
: a telephone exchange or operator
2
: a central office or bureau usually controlling others
weather central
3
: a center or hub for a specified activity or group
her house is party central
the family room becomes kid central

Examples of central in a Sentence

Adjective The house has four rooms and a central chimney. City planners are looking for a central location for the new hospital. The evidence was central to the defense's case. The country's schools are financed by both local and central governments. The central authority of the company's board is being challenged. Noun Our family room becomes kid central on weekends. a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In go the eggs and yolks and the stretchy sourdough starter — a living culture of beneficial yeast and bacteria for making bread rise and creating flavor — that’s central to the bakery. Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 With over 75% of Finland covered by forests, sustainable forestry is central to the country’s capacity to meet its climate neutrality goals, as, research shows that non-sustainable practice in the sector decrease the chances for forest to work as efficientcarbon sinks. Daniela De Lorenzo, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
But as China has attempted to rein in the excesses of its financial system, the central continues to run into the risk of clarifying where the line between private risk and state guarantees lies. Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 By October 1, the front yards around our home are fully transformed into graveyards, haunted houses, a witch's lair, or zombie central. Mia Taylor, Parents, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for central 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'central.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin centrālis, from centrum center entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of central entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of central was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near central

Cite this Entry

“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

central

adjective
cen·​tral
ˈsen-trəl
1
: containing or being a center
the central office
2
: chief entry 1 sense 2, principal
the central figure in a story
3
: situated at, in, or near the center
the store is in a central location
4
: of, relating to, or consisting of the brain and spinal cord
also : originating within the central nervous system
centrality
sen-ˈtral-ət-ē
noun
centrally
ˈsen-trə-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

central

adjective
cen·​tral ˈsen-trəl How to pronounce central (audio)
1
: of or concerning the centrum of a vertebra
2
a
: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord
b
: originating within the central nervous system : caused by factors originating in the central nervous system
central precocious puberty
3
: affecting or involving the trunk of the body and especially the abdomen
central adiposity
centrally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on central

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