Center Meaning
/ˈsɛn.təː/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe point in the interior of a circle that is equidistant from all points on the circumference.
nounThe point in the interior of a sphere that is equidistant from all points on the circumference.
Sentence Examples
The tourist information center gave a city map to whoever asked it.
The student center is a good place to strike up conversations.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The architect placed a large fountain in the ____ of the plaza.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The town ____ is always busy with many people shopping and eating today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱent-der. Ancient Greek κέντρον (kéntron)der. Latin centrumder. Middle French centrebor. Middle English center English center From Middle English center, centre, from Middle French centre, from Latin centrum, from Ancient Greek κέντρον (kéntron), from κεντεῖν (kenteîn, “to prick, goad”). Doublet of centrum. * (group theory): In the notation Z(G), the letter Z derives from the German Zentrum (“center”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"If a point be taken within a circle, and more than two equal straight lines fall from the point on the circle, the point taken is the centre of the circle."
— 1908, Euclid, translated by Thomas L. Heath, Elements, III.9:
"Japanese scientists are to explore the centre of the Earth. Using a giant drill ship launched next month, the researchers aim to be the first to punch a hole through the rocky crust that covers our planet and to reach the mantle below."
— 2005 June 4, David Adam, The Guardian:
"[...] their portion set
As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
As from the Center thrice to th'utmost Pole."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 73-75:
"Leo. No: if I mistake
In those Foundations which I build upon,
The Centre is not bigge enough to beare
A Schoole-Boyes Top."
— c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 282, column 2:
"In Anatolia tensions between state officials (ehl-i örf) and the peasants were strained to breaking point.
At several places—particularly in the frontier provinces—there were fierce clashes between the janissaries stationed there and the governors. In Aleppo and Damascus incidents were common after 1589: the kuls threw rocks at the beylerbeyi’s house, killed people, broke into the divan several times and took the money prepared by the council for remittance to the centre."
— 2018, Pál Fodor, The Business of State. Ottoman Finance Administration and Ruling Elites in Transition (1580s–1615) (Studien zur Sprache, Geschichte und Kultur der Turkvölker; 28), Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag × De Gruyter, published 2020, →DOI, →ISBN, page 50:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The architect placed a large fountain in the ____ of the plaza.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The town ____ is always busy with many people shopping and eating today.