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Definition of center noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

center

noun
 
 
/ˈsentə(r)/
 
/ˈsentər/
(US English)
(British English centre)
Idioms
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  1.  
     [countable] the middle point or part of something
    • the center of something He walked to the center of the circle.
    • in the center of something There was a long table in the center of the room.
    • The statue is in the very center of the temple.
    • chocolates with soft centers
    • at the center of something Aristotle believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe.
  2.  
     [countable] (especially British English)
    (North American English usually downtown [usually singular])
    the main part of a town or city where there are a lot of shops and offices
    • in the… center We both work in the city center.
    Topics Shoppinga1, Buildingsa1
  3.  
     [countable] a place or an area where a lot of people live; a place where a lot of business or cultural activity takes place
    • major urban/industrial centers
    • center of something At that time Winchester was still a major center of population.
    • center for something The university is a leading center for scientific research.
    • Small towns in South India serve as economic and cultural centers for the surrounding villages.
  4.  
     [countable] a building or place used for a particular purpose or activity
    • a shopping/sports/leisure/community center
    • The company has recently opened a new training center.
  5. [countable] center of excellence a place where a particular kind of work is done extremely well
    • The university is recognized as an international center of excellence for training dentists.
  6. [countable, usually singular] the point towards which people direct their attention
    • She likes to be the center of attention.
  7. [singular] a moderate (= middle) political position or party, between the extremes of left-wing and right-wing parties
    • a party of the center
    • a center party
    Topics Politicsb2
  8. [countable] (in some team sports) a player or position in the middle of the pitch, court, etc.
Idioms
front and center
  1. in or into the most important position
    • The issue has moved front and center in his presidential campaign.
left, right and center
(also right, left and center)
  1. (informal) in all directions; everywhere
    • He's giving away money left, right and center.
See center in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: center

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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