# central

/ˈsɛntɹəɫ/ (US) · /sˈɛntɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/central
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. in the middle

adjective · CEFR B1

located in the middle of an area or city.

For teachers: situated at or near the centre of a space, object, or geographic region.

- The hotel is very central, so you can walk to all the main museums.
- The central business district remains the primary hub for financial services, despite the recent trend of companies moving to suburban offices.

### 2. very important

adjective · CEFR B1

the most important part of an idea, plan, or system.

For teachers: of primary importance; essential or principal to a concept, organisation, or process.

- The theme of family is central to the story in this movie.
- Reducing carbon emissions is central to the government's new environmental policy for the coming decade.

### 3. anatomy/biology

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

relating to the main part of the body's nervous system, like the brain and spine.

For teachers: relating to the central nervous system or acting from the centre toward the peripheral organs.

- The central nervous system controls how our bodies react to pain.
- The drug acts on the central nervous system to reduce tremors without affecting the patient's motor coordination in the limbs.

### 4. a main office or station

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a main office or a place that controls a large system.

For teachers: a central office, station, or hub that serves as a point of control or coordination.

- The taxi driver called central to ask for the correct address.
- The regional power central monitors electricity distribution across three states to prevent blackouts during peak hours.

## Examples

- The hotel is in a very central location.
- The central theme of the novel is the struggle between tradition and modern technology.
- While the peripheral issues were resolved quickly, the central conflict regarding budget allocation remained a point of contention for the board.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.