# middle

/ˈmɪdəɫ/ (US) · /mˈɪdəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/middle
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. central point

noun · CEFR A2

the point or position that is at an equal distance from the sides or edges.

For teachers: the central point or part of a physical object or area.

- There is a large wooden table in the middle of the room.
- The fountain was positioned exactly in the middle of the courtyard to create a sense of perfect symmetry.

### 2. between start and end

noun · CEFR A2

the part of an event or period of time between the beginning and the end.

For teachers: the intermediate part of a temporal sequence or narrative.

- I woke up in the middle of the night because of a loud noise.
- The plot becomes increasingly complex in the middle of the novel, introducing several new characters who challenge the protagonist.

### 3. waist

noun · CEFR B1

the central part of a person's body, around the waist.

For teachers: the central section of the human torso; the waist area.

- He has put on a bit of weight around his middle lately.
- The athlete wore a supportive belt around her middle to protect her lower back during the heavy lifting session.

### 4. political center

noun · CEFR B2

the group of people whose political views are not extreme.

For teachers: the moderate portion of the political spectrum, avoiding both left-wing and right-wing extremes.

- The candidate is trying to win votes from the political middle.
- To secure a majority, the party must appeal to the middle rather than focusing solely on its traditional base.

### 5. located in the center

adjective · CEFR A2

describing something that is in the center or between two other things.

For teachers: positioned at an equal distance from the limits or edges; central.

- She is the middle child in a family of three sisters.
- The middle drawer of the desk is where we keep the spare stationery and stamps.

## Examples

- The table stands in the middle of the room.
- The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night and woke up everyone in the building.
- The negotiator found himself in the middle of a heated debate between the two opposing factions, struggling to maintain a neutral stance while both sides demanded his full support.

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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.