Central

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsÉ›ntɹəl/

Origin

From Latin centrālis.

Full definition of central

Adjective

1. Being in the centre.
• 2013-07-27, Putting down roots, The plantoid...will have a central stem containing a reservoir of liquid plastic of a sort that can be frozen by ultraviolet light. Half a dozen cylindrical roots will branch off this stem, and the plastic will flow through these from the reservoir to the tip. As in a real root, the tip will be a specialised structure.
2. Being the most important.
3. Having or containing the centre of something.
4. Being very important, or key to something.
• 2012, September 7, Phil McNulty, Moldova 0-5 England, Cleverley was a central figure as England took the lead inside three minutes. He saw his shot handled by Moldovan defender Simion Bulgaru and Lampard drilled home the penalty in trademark fashion.

Derived terms

• central bank
• central heating
• central locking
• centralisation
• centralise
• centrally
• centralness