center

noun

• 1the middle point of a circle or sphere, equidistant from every point on the circumference or surface.
• a point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends, or surfaces of something; the middle:the center of the ceiling the center of a vast territory
• a pivot or axis of rotation:the galactic rotation of the solar system around the galactic center
• a political party or group holding moderate opinions.
• Sports the middle player in a line or group in many games:Terry played center on the basketball team
• Baseballshort for center field.he flied out to center
• a core, such as the filling in a piece of chocolate:truffles with liqueur centers
• a conical adjustable support for a workpiece in a lathe or similar machine.

• 2the point from which an activity or process is directed, or on which it is focused:the city was a center of discontent two issues at the center of the health-care debate
• the most important place in the respect specified:Geneva was then the center of the international world

• 3a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated:a center for medical research a shopping center

verb

• 1 [no object] (center around/on or center something around/on) have or cause to have something as (a major concern or theme):the case centers around the couple’s adopted children the plot centers on two young men [with object]:he is centering his discussion on an analysis of patterns of mortality
• (be centered in) (of an activity) occur mainly in or around (a specified place):the mercantile association was centered in northern Germany

• 2 [with object] place in the middle:to center the needle, turn the knob
• Football pass the ball back from the ground to another player to begin a down; snap.