Center Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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center

[หˆsษ›ntษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

location

A point or place that is equally distant from all sides or points of a space; the middle.

Synonyms

heart, middle, midpoint.

Examples of usage

  • She placed the vase in the center of the table.
  • The town square is the center of the community.
Context #2 | Noun

organization

An organization or group that provides a particular service or is involved in a specific activity.

Synonyms

facility, hub, institution.

Examples of usage

  • The hospital is a medical center.
  • The research center focuses on climate change.
Context #3 | Verb

focus

To focus on or concentrate on something.

Synonyms

concentrate, direct, focus.

Examples of usage

  • Let's center our discussion on the main topic.
  • She centered her attention on the task at hand.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In geometry, the center of a circle is equidistant from all points on its circumference.
  • The coordinates of a center point in a 2D space are calculated using the average of the x and y coordinates of all outer points.
  • In statistics, the median is often considered the center point of a data set, where half the numbers are below and half are above.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, the center is associated with balance and stability, such as in Feng Shui, which emphasizes harmony in living spaces.
  • Indigenous cultures often regard the center of their land as sacred, representing their connection to heritage and community.
  • The United Nations has its headquarters at the center of New York City, symbolizing diplomacy and cooperation among nations.

Literature

  • Many stories use the concept of a center, where the protagonist must journey from an outer position to find their true self at the story's core.
  • In poetry, the center of a line can be a powerful focal point, drawing attention to love, loss, or identity.
  • Great works like Danteโ€™s 'Divine Comedy' explore concepts of the center of human experience, integrating moral lessons.

Science

  • In physics, the center of mass is a crucial concept, indicating the average position of mass in a body, crucial for understanding motion.
  • Astronomically, the center of our solar system is the sun, around which all planets, including Earth, orbit.
  • Cell biology refers to the nucleus as the center of control for genetic information and cellular activities.

Origin of 'center'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'centrum,' which means 'the point which is equally distant from all edges.'
  • In Middle English, the term evolved from the Old French 'centre' and was adopted in the 14th century.
  • Its Greek origin 'kentron' refers to 'sharp point'โ€”like the middle of a wheel where all spokes meet.

The word 'center' originated from the Latin word 'centrum', meaning 'point around which something revolves'. The concept of a central point has been important in various fields such as geometry, physics, and organization. Over time, 'center' has evolved to represent not just a physical location, but also a core or focal point of an organization or activity.


See also: centering, centerpiece, central, centrist.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,057, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.