center

cen|ter1 [ `sentər ] noun ***

▸ 1 middle

▸ 2 building/area for something

▸ 3 of attention

▸ 4 not left- or right-wing

▸ 5 player in sport

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count the middle of a space or area:

in the center of the room

a ) the point that is in the exact middle of a circle or SPHERE (=a shape like a ball)

b ) the middle of a piece of chocolate or candy

2. ) count a building, group of buildings, or area where a particular activity is performed:

a conference/arts center: the conference center in the new hotel

a ) an important place for a particular activity:

one of the great financial centers of Europe

The founding of the university was important in making Prague a cultural center.

a center of something: the greatest center of learning and the arts in Japan

a center for something: The town is a major center for the insurance industry.

3. ) count usually singular the person or thing that people pay a lot of attention to or show a lot of interest in:

center of attention: He was very shy and hated being the center of attention.

4. ) the center a political party, group of parties, or position that is not extreme because of being neither left-wing nor right-wing:

Clinton helped move the democratic party to the political center.

5. ) count a player in football whose position is in the middle of the OFFENSIVE LINE

a ) a player in basketball whose position is near the basket

b ) a player in games such as HOCKEY and soccer whose position is in the middle of a line of FORWARDS (=attacking players)

be at the center of something

to be the main subject or cause of something:

the woman at the center of the latest political scandal

=> CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, CENTER OF GRAVITY

center

cen|ter 2 [ `sentər ] verb **

transitive to place something in the center of a space or area:

Can you center the headings?

`center a,round or `center ,on or `center up,on transitive

1. ) if something centers around a person or thing, or is centered around them, they are its main subject of attention or interest:

A substantial portion of the debate centered around the issue of coalitions.

The talk centered around trade relations with China.

2. ) if something centers around a place, it happens mainly there:

The celebrations will center around the church.