DictionaryAI

central

adjective
SEN-truhl/ˈsɛntɹəl/

6 meanings of central

Practice

  1. 1
    middleadjective
    In the middle of a place or thing.

    Like the middle of a wheel, with everything else around it.

    The central square is where everyone meets on market days.

    Our hotel was in a central spot, close to all the shops.

    UsageOften with a place: central London is the middle part of London.

    Oppositeperipheral

    Note
  2. 2
    keyadjective
    Very important, or the main part that something depends on.

    Like the main pole that holds up a tent: without it, everything drops.

    Trust is central to any good friendship.

    Her role was central to the success of the whole project.

    UsageOften central to something: trust is central to friendship.

    Similarmain, key, principal, dominant

    Oppositemarginal, minor, secondary

    Note
  3. 3
    head officeadjective
    Belonging to the main group or office that runs a whole country, organization, or system.

    The central government pays for the new roads, not the town.

    Each store used to buy its own goods, but now a central team does all the buying.

    UsageUsed before a noun: central government, the central bank.

    Similarcentralized, national

    Oppositelocal, regional, decentralized

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    adjective
    In medicine, having to do with the brain and spinal cord, or affecting them.
  2. 5
    adjective
    In math, describing an item you can multiply with any other in either order and get the same result.
  3. 6
    adjective
    In higher math, describing an algebra whose center is only the base field.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of central apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin centralis, from centrum meaning 'centre', which came from Greek kentron.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts