centre

[sen-ter]

noun

Chiefly British.

centred, centring 

1. center.

centre

¹

/ ˈsɛntə /

noun

1. geometry

   1. 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

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

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

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

4. a place at which some specified activity is concentrated

   a shopping centre

5. a person or thing that is a focus of interest

6. a place of activity or influence

   a centre of power

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

8. (usually capital) politics

   1. a political party or group favouring moderation, esp the moderate members of a legislative assembly

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Centre-Left alliance

9. physiol any part of the central nervous system that regulates a specific function

   respiratory centre

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

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

12. sport

    1. a player who plays in the middle of the forward line

    2. the act or an instance of passing the ball from a wing to the middle of the field, court, etc

13. basketball

    1. the position of a player who jumps for the ball at the start of play

    2. the player in this position

14. archery

    1. the ring around the bull's eye

    2. a shot that hits this ring

verb

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

2. (tr) to focus or bring together

   to centre one's thoughts

3. to have as a main point of view or theme

   the novel centred on crime

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

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

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

Centre

²

noun

1. the sparsely inhabited central region of Australia

2. a region of central France: generally low-lying; drained chiefly by the Rivers Loire, Loir, and Cher

Word History and Origins

Origin of centre¹

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

Example Sentences

The gathering at the Capitol on Wednesday put those victims front and centre - with an added promise that they would not be silenced.

From BBC

It meant she missed her regular funicular ride down the hill with a work friend on their commute home from the office in the centre of Lisbon.

From BBC

In Sheikh Radwan - a neighbourhood located about three kilometres from Gaza City centre - a number of buildings have been wiped away.

From BBC

An activity centre for babies and toddlers, an Indian restaurant, an indoor golf centre – and a mini experimental steel plant.

From BBC

They had been eating pizza in Epping town centre when they were propositioned by the defendant, who invited them back to The Bell Hotel.

From BBC