centre

noun

UK /ˈsentə(r)/

Word Forms

singular	centre
plural	centres

1
countable the middle of a space or area
the centre of the room
the exact/very centre:
Libourne is at the very centre of the wine-making region.
Synonyms and related words
The central parts of objects or spaces
the middle
centre
core
1. 1a
  mathsthe point that is in the middle of a circle or sphere (=a shape like a ball)
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of shapes
  centre
  circumference
  contour
2. 1b
  the middle of a chocolate, sweet, or cake
  Synonyms and related words
  Cakes and biscuits
  baking sheet
  Beaver Tail
  biscuit
2
countable Britishthe part of a town or city that contains most of the shops, restaurants, and places of entertainment
We caught a bus into the centre.
centre of:
a hotel close to the centre of Edinburgh
city/town centre:
Follow the signs to the town centre.
city centre shops
Synonyms and related words
Areas in towns or cities
agora
area
armpit
3
countable a building or group of buildings where people go for advice, help, or information: used with many nouns and adjectives
a health/job centre
the local Tourist Information Centre
the National Exhibition Centre
You should contact the visitor centre before you go.
Synonyms and related words
Government and office buildings
centre
chancellery
city hall
1. 3a
  a building or group of buildings where people go to do a particular activity
  a sports/shopping centre
  an adult education centre
  She runs a conference centre in Dover.
  Synonyms and related words
  Groups of buildings
  barracks
  block
  centre
2. 3b
  used in the names of some buildings or organizations
  the Oxford Business Advice Centre
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used in the names of buildings
  centre
  Court
  great
4
countable an important place for a particular activity
attempts to make Prague a cultural centre
one of the world’s most important financial centres
centre of:
the greatest centre of learning in northern Europe
centre for:
The town is a major centre for the American book publishing trade.
Synonyms and related words
General words for location and place
place
location
setting
1. 4a
  a place where there is a lot of something
  centre of:
  people who live in the main centres of population
  Synonyms and related words
  Places of a particular type
  a den of iniquity/vice
  a happy/favourite hunting ground
  anchorage
5
countable a player in some team sports whose position is in the middle of the line of attacking players
Synonyms and related words
Players and positions in various sports
all-American
A. N. Other
back
6
countable usually singularthe main subject or cause of something
centre of:
an issue that has been the centre of debate in this country recently
centre of attention:
He’s very shy and hates being the centre of attention.
Synonyms and related words
Causes
cause
catalyst
source
7

the centre
a political party, group of parties, or position that is not extreme because it is neither left-wing nor right-wing
an attempt to make the Labour Party a party of the centre
Synonyms and related words
Centrist politics
the centre
centrist
Liberal

phrases

be at the centre of something

the centre of activity/things

centre ​‌‌‌

the centre

centre

centre ​‌‌

centre

centre