center

The middle point or part of something, away from its edges.

• Stand in the center.
• Place the flowers in the center of the table.
• A small dot marks the center of the circle.

How to use it: the center of something (The fountain is in the center of the square.)

Similar words: middle

Opposites: edge

Common phrases: center of something, in the center, at the center

The main part of a town or city, where many shops and businesses are.

• We walked to the town center.
• The city center was busy yesterday.
• Is there a bus to the center?

Similar words: downtown

Common phrases: town center, city center, busy center

A place or organization where people shop, work, or take part in a particular activity.

• A new shopping center opened nearby.
• The health center closes at six.
• Several research centers are studying the disease.

Similar words: facility

Common phrases: shopping center, health center, community center

Political views between those of the left and the right.

• The party has moved toward the center.
• Voters in the center disliked both candidates.
• Her policies appeal to the political center.

Similar words: middle ground

Common phrases: political center, the center

The point on a line that is equally far from both ends.

• Mark the center of the line.
• The center is five centimeters from either end.
• Draw a dot at the center.

Similar words: midpoint, middle

Common phrases: exact center, center point, the center

A player whose main position is in the middle of the playing area.

• Their center scored ten points.
• She plays center for the school team.
• The coach needs a taller center.

Common phrases: play center, starting center, team center

To give most attention to a particular person, subject, or issue.

• The film centers on two sisters.
• Our talks centered around the cost.
• They center their research on childhood learning.

How to use it: center on someone/something (The story centers on a young teacher.); center something on something (We centered our discussion on housing.)

Similar words: focus, concentrate

Common phrases: center on something, center around something

To move or place something in the middle of an area.

• Please center the title.
• She centered the vase on the table.
• Can you center this image on the page?

How to use it: center something on something (Center the picture on the wall.)

Similar words: position centrally

Common phrases: center the text, center a picture, center something on, center an image