center-fire adjective alsocentral-fire\ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ 1.of a cartridge: fired by the striking of a hammer or firing pin upon a cap or primer at the center of the base — distinguished from rimfire 2.: designed for or adapted to the use of center-fire cartridges < a center-fire rifle >