central

cen|tral [ `sentrəl ] adjective ***

1. ) only before noun the central part of a place is the area in the middle of it:

They live in central Boston.

in some regions of central and eastern Asia

a ) only before noun a central place is in the middle of something:

The hotel's rooms are built around a central courtyard.

b ) used for saying that something is in the middle of an area, so it is very convenient for using stores, theaters, etc.:

My apartment is very central.

a central location: All hotels have been specially selected for their central location.

2. ) a central idea, aspect, system, etc. is one of the main ones that is used or needed:

This organization occupied a central role in the development of U.S. economic policy.

a central feature: Political life has changed since broadcasting became a central feature of our lives.

central to: Her work remains central to an understanding of this period of history.

central in: issues that are central in the lives of women prisoners

of central importance (=very important): Listening skills are of central importance to a child's development.

a ) something that is central is extremely important, and often causes something else to happen or develop

3. ) only before noun central control comes from one main organization that usually tells a lot of smaller organizations what they should do:

The system is subject to massive and increasing central control.

a ) a central organization is a main organization that controls a lot of smaller ones:

the Communist Party's central committee

b ) used in the names of organizations:

the Central Intelligence Agency

╾ cen|tral|i|ty [ sen`trælıti ] noun uncount