Centre

/'sentə/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A point or place that is equally distant from all sides, ends, or surfaces of something; the middle: The central point of a circle, sphere, or geometric figure.
    • A place or building used for a particular activity or purpose: A building or complex dedicated to a specific function, such as research, commerce, or community activities.
    • The most important point, part, or person in an area of interest, activity, or attention: The focus of attention or the principal element in a situation.
    • A political position or party that is neither left-wing nor right-wing: A moderate political group or stance.
  2. Verb:

    • To place or be placed in the middle: To position something at the centre.
    • To have or cause to have something as a principal focus or theme: To concentrate on or be concentrated around a central point or idea.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • The town hall is located in the centre of the city.
    • She works at a medical research centre.
    • The new policy was the centre of a heated debate.
    • The political party's policies appeal to voters in the centre.
  • Verb:

    • Please centre the text on the page.
    • The discussion centred on the issue of climate change.
Advanced Usage
  • "to be at the centre of": to be the main focus or cause of something.

    • He found himself at the centre of a major scandal.
  • "centre around/on/upon": to have something as a major focus or theme.

    • The novel centres around a family mystery.
  • "centre stage": the central and most important position.

    • The issue of funding took centre stage at the meeting.
Variants and Related Words
  • Central (adj): Situated in the centre; most important.

    • The bank has a central location.
  • Centrist (n/adj): A person with moderate political views; holding such views.

    • He is a centrist who seeks compromise.
  • Centred (adj, past participle): Placed in the centre; emotionally stable and focused.

    • She felt calm and centred after meditation.
  • Centrepiece (n): An item or issue intended to be a focus of attention.

    • The treaty was the centrepiece of the diplomatic talks.
Synonyms
  • Middle: The point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edges, or ends.
  • Core: The central or most important part.
  • Hub: The effective centre of an activity, region, or network.
  • Focus: The centre of interest or activity.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Centre on/upon: To have as a central point, subject, or theme.

    • The investigation centred on the manager's actions.
  • Centre out (less common): To single out for attention, often negative.

    • He felt centred out for criticism.
Related Idioms
  • The centre cannot hold: A situation is descending into chaos or disorder. (From W.B. Yeats' poem "The Second Coming").

    • With leadership failing, it seemed the centre could not hold.
  • Centre of attention: The person or thing that everyone is noticing or talking about.

    • The birthday girl was the centre of attention.
Noun
  1. a building dedicated to a particular activity
    • they were raising money to build a new center for research
  2. a cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process
    • in most people the speech center is in the left hemisphere
  3. the object upon which interest and attention focuses
    • his stories made him the center of the party
  4. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
    • the gist of the prosecutor's argument
    • the heart and soul of the Republican Party
    • the nub of the story
  5. the sweet central portion of a piece of candy that is enclosed in chocolate or some other covering
  6. a place where some particular activity is concentrated
    • they received messages from several centers
  7. a point equidistant from the ends of a line or the extremities of a figure
  8. an area that is approximately central within some larger region
    • it is in the center of town
    • they ran forward into the heart of the struggle
    • they were in the eye of the storm
  9. a low-lying region in central France
Verb
  1. direct one's attention on something
    • Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies
  2. move into the center
    • That vase in the picture is not centered