1
: containing or constituting a center
3
a
: situated at, in, or near the center
the central part of the state
b
: easily accessible from outlying districts
a central location for the new theater
4
a
: centrally placed and superseding separate scattered units
central heating
b
: controlling or directing local or branch activities
the central committee
5
: holding to a middle between extremes : moderate
6
: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord
also
: originating within the central nervous system
central deafness
1
: a telephone exchange or operator
2
: a central office or bureau usually controlling others
weather central
3
: a center or hub for a specified activity or group
her house is party central
the family room becomes kid central
Synonyms
Examples of central in a Sentence
Adjective
The house has four rooms and a central chimney.
City planners are looking for a central location for the new hospital.
The evidence was central to the defense's case.
The country's schools are financed by both local and central governments.
The central authority of the company's board is being challenged.
Noun
Our family room becomes kid central on weekends.
a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
As Butler — the third Black woman to serve in the Senate — leaves public office, the identity politics that were central to her rise are now under scrutiny by Democrats, who are working to understand their devastating losses in this year’s election.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Jesse Pound,yun Li, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
Montlake East Blaine Street is regarded as trick-or-treat central, with one house known as the Hauntlake Cemetery for its elaborate decorations.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for central 
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Adjective
But Cuba has been central to Rubio’s long climb from city commissioner in West Miami to state representative to US senator to Republican presidential candidate to now being selected for secretary of state.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
As Butler — the third Black woman to serve in the Senate — leaves public office, the identity politics that were central to her rise are now under scrutiny by Democrats, who are working to understand their devastating losses in this year’s election.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
On Thursday, the central will make its next decision on interest rates.
—Jesse Pound,yun Li, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
Montlake East Blaine Street is regarded as trick-or-treat central, with one house known as the Hauntlake Cemetery for its elaborate decorations.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for central
Dictionary Entries Near central
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
central
adjective
cen·tral
ˈsen-trəl 
1
: of or concerning the centrum of a vertebra
2
a
: of, relating to, or comprising the brain and spinal cord
b
: originating within the central nervous system : caused by factors originating in the central nervous system
central precocious puberty
3
: affecting or involving the trunk of the body and especially the abdomen
central adiposity
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