Meaning and usage of the word center in English

Meaning and usage of the word center in English

Meaning of vocabulary center

centernoun
trung tâm
/ˈsentə(r)//ˈsentər/

Origin of the word center

The word "center" has its origins in Latin. The Latin word "centrum" referred to the middle point or hub of a circle, and it is derived from "centaurus," the name of a mythical creature with a man's upper body and a horse's lower body, said to be a centaur. The centaur was depicted as having one foot placed on each side of a wheel, with its body at the center. The Latin "centrum" was borrowed into Middle English as "centour," which referred to the central point of a wheel or circle. Over time, the spelling evolved into "center," and the word took on a broader meaning, encompassing not just the physical center of an object or circle, but also the middle or core of a concept, organization, or activity. Today, the word "center" is used in a wide range of contexts, from mathematics to business to everyday life.

Vocabulary summary center

type noun & verb

meaning (US, US meaning) (like) centre

Example of vocabulary centernamespace

the middle point or part of something

He walked to the center of the circle.
There was a long table in the center of the room.
The statue is in the very center of the temple.
chocolates with soft centers
Aristotle believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe.

the main part of a town or city where there are a lot of shops and offices

We both work in the city center.

a place or an area where a lot of people live; a place where a lot of business or cultural activity takes place

major urban/industrial centers
At that time Winchester was still a major center of population.
The university is a leading center for scientific research.
Small towns in South India serve as economic and cultural centers for the surrounding villages.

a building or place used for a particular purpose or activity