center
/ˈsentə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsentər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsen-tər ˈse-nər/ (ame, mw)
center — noun
1. the exact middle part of a space, object, or area, equally far from all sides or
the exact middle part of a space, object, or area, equally far from all sides or edges.
A small wooden table stood at the center of the room.
Draw a dot in the center of the circle on your paper.
preposition: in the center of [noun phrase]
The old oak tree marks the center of the village square.
Place the cake in the center of the table so everyone can reach it.
The town hall sits at the center of the public garden.
2. the busiest section in a town, containing most of its shops, restaurants, office
the busiest section in a town, containing most of its shops, restaurants, offices, and entertainment venues.
The new bookstore opened in the center of town last week.
preposition: in the center of town
Leila took the bus to the city center to meet her friends for lunch.
The shopping center has over fifty stores and a large food court.
Many young people move to the city center for jobs and nightlife.
- downtown
more common in American English; can be used as a noun or adjective
- city center
specifically the central business district of a larger city
用法筆記
In British English the spelling 'centre' is used. 'City center' and 'town center' are common compound nouns.
常見錯誤
3. a building or set of rooms designed for a specific purpose, service, or type of
a building or set of rooms designed for a specific purpose, service, or type of activity.
The community center offers free yoga classes on Tuesday evenings.
noun + noun: community center, shopping center, etc.
Priya works at a daycare center near the train station.
The new sports center has an indoor pool and three basketball courts.
Aiko took her laptop to the business center to print the documents.
The science center had an exhibition about robots and space travel.
用法筆記
Often combined with another noun that describes the purpose: community center, shopping center, medical center, data center.
4. the person, thing, or issue that draws the most interest, discussion, or activit
the person, thing, or issue that draws the most interest, discussion, or activity in a situation.
The debate about school funding became the center of public attention.
collocation: center of attention / center of debate
A young singer was the center of the festival's opening ceremony.
The Watanabe family farm was the center of a land dispute for years.
Climate change is at the center of this year's political discussion.
- sideline
a position of less importance or attention
用法筆記
Commonly used in phrases like 'center of attention,' 'center of debate,' and 'at the center of [something].' Does not refer to a physical location.
常見錯誤
5. a moderate political viewpoint that falls between left-wing and right-wing opini
a moderate political viewpoint that falls between left-wing and right-wing opinions, or the group of people who hold such views.
The candidate moved toward the center to attract undecided voters.
political domain: move toward the center
In this election, both parties are competing for voters in the center.
A centrist party usually occupies the center of the political spectrum.
Yusuf described himself as being on the center, not the left or the right.
- centrism
the abstract noun for the ideology itself
- moderate position
a more general term that can also apply outside politics
- left wing
liberal or socialist political views
- right wing
conservative political views
用法筆記
Typically used with the definite article: 'the center.' The adjective form is 'centrist' and the noun for a person is 'centrist.'
6. the middle-position player on a sports team — for instance, the basketball playe
the middle-position player on a sports team — for instance, the basketball player positioned nearest the hoop, the hockey player who starts at center-ice face-offs, or the football lineman who initiates the down by hiking the ball.
The team's center scored twenty points in last night's game.
Ravi plays center on the basketball team because he is the tallest.
sports role: play(s) center
The center passed the puck to the winger and the play began.
In the draft, the team chose a powerful center from a university team.
- middle player
a non-technical description
用法筆記
The specific responsibilities of the center vary greatly by sport. In basketball the center plays near the basket; in hockey the center takes face-offs; in American football the center snaps the ball.
7. the area of a baseball outfield straight ahead of home plate, between left field
the area of a baseball outfield straight ahead of home plate, between left field and right field, or the player who defends that area.
The batter hit a high fly ball to deep center field.
compound: center field
Diego plays center field for his college baseball team.
A good center fielder needs to run fast and throw accurately.
The ball landed in center field, and the runner scored from second base.
- center field
the specific term for the area of the baseball field
- center fielder
the player who occupies center field
用法筆記
Often used in the compound noun 'center field' (the area) or 'center fielder' (the player). Distinct from the basketball/hockey 'center' position.
center — verb
1. to put something in the middle of a space, area, or object, or to arrange it so
to put something in the middle of a space, area, or object, or to arrange it so that it is evenly positioned.
The photographer centered the model's face in the frame.
transitive: center + object + preposition phrase
Rohan centered the table under the hanging light fixture.
Make sure you center the text on the page before printing it.
Hana centered the rug in the middle of the living room floor.
- offset
to place away from the center
文法句型
center + object + on/around + noun phrase
center + object
用法筆記
Common in design and layout contexts (document formatting, photography, interior arrangement). Often used with 'on' or 'in' to indicate the reference point.
2. to have something as the main subject, cause, or area of interest; to direct you
to have something as the main subject, cause, or area of interest; to direct your attention toward something.
The discussion centered on ways to reduce pollution in the city.
intransitive pattern: center on/around [topic]
Her research centers around the effects of music on memory.
The festival centers on traditional music and local food from the region.
Yara centered her entire presentation on the history of the railway.
Much of the town's economy is centered around the fishing industry.
- focus
more direct; 'focus on' is very common in everyday speech
- revolve around
more informal; suggests everything relates to the central topic
- concentrate on
emphasizes mental effort rather than thematic centrality
文法句型
center on/around/upon + noun phrase
be centered on/around + noun phrase
用法筆記
The most common structure is 'center on/around/upon [something].' The passive form 'be centered on/around' is very frequent. 'Center around' is widely used despite some style guides preferring 'center on.'