Central: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to the most important or main part of something, or a location that is at the center.

• The central theme of the story is friendship.
• The library is located in the central part of the city.

Use when discussing a physical location that is equally distant from the extremes or in the center point of something.

• The park is in the middle of the city.
• She was standing in the middle of the room.

Use when describing a system or organization that is controlled from a single point or place.

• The company has a centralized management system.
• Many countries use a centralized governmental structure.

Use when referring to the most essential or fundamental part of something.

• At the core of his argument is the need for equality.
• The core values of the organization include integrity and transparency.

Used when talking about the most important part of something or when something is located in the middle of an area.

• The central part of the city is very busy.
• Education is central to their mission.

Indicates something very important or critical to achieving a goal or understanding a concept.

• Trust is the key to a successful relationship.
• The key issue here is the lack of funding.

Refers to something absolutely necessary, vital, or crucial for a particular purpose or situation.

• Water is essential for life.
• It is essential to have good communication skills in this job.

Implied when something is the main or most important among other things, especially as a first priority.

• His primary concern is the health of his family.
• The primary goal of this project is to improve infrastructure.

Used to describe something that holds an important or primary position within a system, organization, or place.

• The central office is in the middle of the city.
• She played a central role in the project.

Denotes the most essential or fundamental part of something, often used in abstract contexts like beliefs or principles.

• The core values of the company include honesty and integrity.
• Apple's core is where the seeds are located.

Typically refers to the middle point or area of an object or location, but can also mean a place where specific activities happen.

• He stood in the center of the room.
• They met at the community center.

Indicates a central point of activity, usually in the context of transportation, communication, or commerce.

• The city is a major transportation hub.
• The internet café became a hub for local tech enthusiasts.