Central
Definition
Central is an adjective that refers to being at the center of something, essential, or of primary importance. It can also mean being located in the middle or at the core of a place, organization, or idea.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɛntrəl/
- Respelling: SEN-truhl
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɛntrəl/
- Respelling: SEN-truhl
Etymology
The word "central" originates from the Latin "centralis," which derives from "centrum," meaning "center." The term came into English through Middle French and evolved to refer to things of primary importance or at the core.
Derivatives
- Centralize (verb)
- Centralization (noun)
- Center (noun)
- Centrality (noun)
- Centralized (adjective)
Synonyms
- Main
- Core
- Primary
Antonyms
- Peripheral
- Minor
- Secondary
Usage
The term "central" is widely used to denote importance or a central position. For example, "The park is located in the central part of the city," or "Education is central to the country’s development."
Related Terms
- Core: The central or most important part of something.
- Focus: The center of interest or activity.
- Middle: The center or midpoint of something.
Detailed Definitions
Adjective
- Located in the center or middle: Refers to a position that is in the core or midpoint.
- Example: "The shopping center is located in the central part of town."
- Of primary importance or key: Used to describe something essential or fundamental to a situation or purpose.
- Example: "Healthcare is central to the government’s policy agenda."
- Having control or authority: Sometimes used to refer to a primary or controlling position within an organization or system.
- Example: "The central office oversees all branch operations."
central
"The central point of the image captures the attention of the viewer."
The central processing unit (CPU) showcased its vital role in executing computing operations.
The bustling city square, with its flowing fountains and iconic buildings, stood as the central hub where people gathered and shared moments.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 中央
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂʊŋ˥˥ jaŋ˥˩/
- Respelling in English: zhōngyāng
- 中心的
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂʊŋ˥˥ ɕin˧˥ dɤ˩˧˥/
- Respelling in English: zhōngxīn de
🇮🇳 Hindi
- मध्य
- IPA Pronunciation: /mədhjə/
- Respelling in English: madhya
- केंद्रीय
- IPA Pronunciation: /kend̪riːjə/
- Respelling in English: kendriya
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Central
- IPA Pronunciation: /θenˈtral/ (Spain), /senˈtral/ (Latin America)
- Respelling in English: then-TRAL (Spain), sen-TRAL (Latin America)
- Principal
- IPA Pronunciation: /prinˈθipal/ (Spain), /prinˈsipal/ (Latin America)
- Respelling in English: prin-THEE-pal (Spain), prin-SEE-pal (Latin America)
🇫🇷 French
- Central
- IPA Pronunciation: /sɑ̃ˈtral/
- Respelling in English: san-TRAL
- Principal
- IPA Pronunciation: /pʁɛ̃sipal/
- Respelling in English: pran-see-PAL
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- مركزي
- IPA Pronunciation: /markaziː/
- Respelling in English: markazī
- أساسي
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʔasaːsiː/
- Respelling in English: asāsī
🇧🇩 Bengali
- কেন্দ্রীয়
- IPA Pronunciation: /kendrijo/
- Respelling in English: kendrīyō
- মূল
- IPA Pronunciation: /mul/
- Respelling in English: mūl
🇷🇺 Russian
- Центральный
- IPA Pronunciation: /tsɪnˈtraljnɨj/
- Respelling in English: tsentral'nyy
- Основной
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈosnəvnoj/
- Respelling in English: osnovnoy
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Central
- IPA Pronunciation: /sẽˈtɾal/
- Respelling in English: sen-TRAL
- Principal
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɾĩsiˈpaɫ/
- Respelling in English: prin-see-PAL
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Pusat
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpusat/
- Respelling in English: pusat
- Utama
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈutama/
- Respelling in English: utama
🇩🇪 German
- Zentral
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtsɛnˌtraːl/
- Respelling in English: tsentral
- Haupt-
- IPA Pronunciation: /haʊ̯pt/
- Respelling in English: haupt
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 中央の
- IPA Pronunciation: /tʃuː.oː no/
- Respelling in English: chūō no
- 主要な
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃuːjoː na/
- Respelling in English: shuyō na
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Trung tâm
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂwŋ̟˧˥ tâm˧˥/
- Respelling in English: trung tâm
- Chính
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂiŋ˧˥/
- Respelling in English: chính
🇰🇷 Korean
- 중앙의
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈ͡ʃʌŋ.jaŋ ui/
- Respelling in English: jungyang ui
- 주요한
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈ͡ʃu.jo.han/
- Respelling in English: juyo han
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Merkezi
- IPA Pronunciation: /merˈkezi/
- Respelling in English: merkezi
- Ana
- IPA Pronunciation: /aˈna/
- Respelling in English: ana
🇵🇰 Urdu
- مرکزی
- IPA Pronunciation: /mərkəziː/
- Respelling in English: markazī
- اہم
- IPA Pronunciation: /ehem/
- Respelling in English: eham
