centre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “centre” mean?
The exact middle point of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The exact middle point of something; a place or building used for a particular activity or purpose.
A point of concentration, origin, or focus; a place where a specified activity is concentrated; the politically moderate position between extremes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'centre' is standard in British English. 'Center' is standard in American English. The verb forms follow the same spelling pattern (centre/centred/centring vs. center/centered/centering).
Connotations
Identical in meaning and connotation; difference is purely orthographic.
Frequency
In British English, 'centre' is overwhelmingly dominant. In American English, 'center' is overwhelmingly dominant. The British spelling is occasionally seen in proper names in the US (e.g., Rockefeller Center).
Grammar
How to Use “centre” in a Sentence
centre on/upon/around [something]centre [something] in/on [place]be centred in/at [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The plot centres on a family secret.
- Please centre the image on the page.
- The festival is centred in Edinburgh.
American English
- The plot centers on a family secret.
- Please center the image on the page.
- The festival is centered in Chicago.
adverb
British English
- The title was printed centre on the page. (rare, formal)
American English
- The title was printed center on the page. (rare, formal)
adjective
British English
- He plays centre forward for the team.
- The centre lane is for overtaking.
- She holds centre-left political views.
American English
- He plays center forward for the team.
- The center lane is for passing.
- She holds center-left political views.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to cost centres, profit centres, call centres, and distribution centres.
Academic
Used in mathematics (centre of a circle), physics (centre of mass), politics (centre ground), and social sciences (urban centres).
Everyday
Commonly used for places like town centres, shopping centres, and leisure centres.
Technical
In sports (centre back, centre half), medicine (medical centre), and geometry (centre point).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centre”
- Using 'center' spelling in a British English context. Incorrect preposition: 'centre about' (use 'centre on/around'). Using as a verb without an object/preposition: 'The discussion centred' (needs 'on the topic').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but they belong to different varieties of English. 'Centre' is British English, and 'center' is American English.
Yes. It means 'to have as a main focus or subject' (e.g., The talk centred on climate change) or 'to place in the middle' (e.g., Centre the text on the page).
'Centre' often implies a precise or important point (geometric, political, or focal). 'Middle' is more general and refers to the area between edges, often less precise (e.g., the middle of the road, the middle of a book).
In British English, it's pronounced /ˈsɛntə/ (SEN-tuh). In American English (as 'center'), it's /ˈsɛn.t̬ɚ/ (SEN-ter), with a clearer 'r' sound at the end.
The exact middle point of something.
Centre is usually formal, neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “centre of attention”
- “centre stage”
- “left of centre”
- “right of centre”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'tre' in 'centre' as in 'theatre' – a common public building in a town centre (UK).
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS CENTRALITY (e.g., 'She was the centre of his world.'); FOCUS IS A CENTRAL POINT (e.g., 'The debate centred on climate change.').
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is correct in a formal British English text?