cen·ter / ˈsentər/ (Brit. cen·tre) • n. 1. the middle point of a circle or sphere, equidistant from every point on the circumference or surface. ∎  a point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends, or surfaces of something; the middle: the center of the ceiling. ∎  a pivot or axis of rotation: the galactic rotation of the solar system around the galactic center. ∎  a political party or group holding moderate opinions. ∎  Sports the middle player in a line or group in many games: Terry played center on the basketball team. ∎  Baseball short for center field. ∎  a core, such as the filling in a piece of chocolate: truffles with liqueur centers. ∎  a conical adjustable support for a workpiece in a lathe or similar machine.2. a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated: a center for medical research. ∎  a point at which an activity or quality is at its most intense and from which it spreads: the city was a center of discontent. ∎  the point on which an activity or process is focused: two issues at the center of the health-care debate. ∎  the most important place in the respect specified: Geneva was then the center of the international world.• v. 1. [intr.] (center around/on) have (something) as a major concern or theme: the case centers around the couple's children. ∎  [tr.] (center something around/on) cause an argument or discussion to focus on (a specified issue): he is centering his discussion on an analysis of patterns of mortality. ∎  (be centered in) (of an activity) occur mainly in or around (a specified place).2. [tr.] place in the middle: to center the needle, turn the knob. ∎ Football pass the ball back from the ground to another player to begin a down; snap.PHRASES: the center of attention a person or thing that draws general attention.DERIVATIVES: cen·ter·most / -ˌmōst/ adj.