First Known Use: 1647
Dictionary
1central
adjective cen·tral \ˈsen-trəl\
: in the middle of something : located in the center of a thing or place
: main or most important
: controlling all other parts : having power over the other parts
Full Definition of CENTRAL
1
: containing or constituting a center
3
a : situated at, in, or near the center 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>
— cen·tral·ly \-trə-lē\ adverb
See central defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CENTRAL
Latin centralis, from centrum center
Related to CENTRAL
- Synonyms
- arch, big, capital, cardinal, foremost, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme
Rhymes with CENTRAL
2central
noun
: a place where an activity takes place or a group meets : a place that is a center for an activity or group
Full Definition of CENTRAL
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>
See central defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CENTRAL
1889
CENTRAL Defined for Kids
central
adjective cen·tral \ˈsen-trəl\
Definition of CENTRAL for Kids
1
: located or placed at, in, or near the center <central Australia>
Medical Dictionary
central
adjective cen·tral \ˈsen-trəl\
Medical Definition of CENTRAL
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>
—cen·tral·ly \-trə-lē\ adverb
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