Central: meaning, definitions and examples

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central

[ˈsɛntrəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

location

located in the center of a particular place or area

Synonyms

centralized, core, middle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
central	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.
middle	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.
centralized	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.
core	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.

Examples of usage

The central park is a popular spot for picnics.
She lives in a central location, close to all the shops.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

importance

of key importance or significance

Synonyms

essential, key, primary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
central	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.
key	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.
essential	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.
primary	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.

Examples of usage

The central idea of the book is freedom.
His speech focused on the central issue of inequality.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

organization

the main part or core of something

Synonyms

center, core, hub.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
central	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.
core	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.
center	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.
hub	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.

Examples of usage

The central of the company is responsible for decision-making.
She is at the central of the project, coordinating all the tasks.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'centralis,' which means 'of the center.'
Its roots trace back to the Greek word 'kentron,' meaning 'sharp point' or 'center,' highlighting its significance in mapping or focusing.
The term has been in use since the 15th century, initially applied to physical locations as well as abstract concepts.

Science

In physics, 'central forces' refer to forces that act along the line connecting the center of an object to a point, like gravity.
In biology, the brain is often considered the 'central' organ of the nervous system, coordinating activities in the body.
In technology, a 'central processing unit' (CPU) acts as the brain of a computer, processing instructions and managing tasks.

Culture

In art, many compositions place the subject in the central position to draw the viewer's eye immediately.
Cultural practices can also be 'central' to a community's identity, such as festivals or traditions that bind people together.
In discussions about society, issues like equity are often viewed as central to creating a more just world.

Geography

Many cities are designed with a central square or plaza that serves as the heart of social and civic life.
In navigation, a central point on a map is crucial for orientation, as it allows for the measurement of distances to other locations.
Countries often have a central region that embodies the national culture, economy, and governance, making it a focal point.

Psychology

In cognitive psychology, central traits are those that have a significant influence on how others perceive a person's overall character.
Central processing, in terms of information, refers to how we prioritize important details when making decisions.
The concept of centrality in social networks describes how individuals or nodes at the core can influence the system extensively.

Translations

Translations of the word "central" in other languages:

🇵🇹 central

🇮🇳 केंद्रीय

🇩🇪 zentral

🇮🇩 sentral

🇺🇦 центральний

🇵🇱 centralny

🇯🇵 中央の

🇫🇷 central

🇪🇸 central

🇹🇷 merkezi

🇰🇷 중앙의

🇸🇦 مركزي

🇨🇿 centrální

🇸🇰 centrálny

🇨🇳 中央的

🇸🇮 centralni

🇮🇸 miðlægur

🇰🇿 орталық

🇬🇪 ცენტრალური

🇦🇿 mərkəzi

🇲🇽 central

Word Frequency Rank

At #769 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

...
766 deep
767 reading
768 built
769 central
770 relation
771 places
772 sea
...