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
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Under Xi’s instructions, a central government working group has been set to the site to guide and oversee the response efforts, according to Xinhua.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
But as China has attempted to rein in the excesses of its financial system, the central continues to run into the risk of clarifying where the line between private risk and state guarantees lies.
—Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for central 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The bravura sixth episode depicts the Price sisters, incarcerated for detonating a car bomb in central London, stage a hunger strike in order to be moved into a prison back in Northern Ireland.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Under Xi’s instructions, a central government working group has been set to the site to guide and oversee the response efforts, according to Xinhua.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
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
But as China has attempted to rein in the excesses of its financial system, the central continues to run into the risk of clarifying where the line between private risk and state guarantees lies.
—Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 22 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 28 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share