cen ‧ tral S1 W1 /ˈsentrəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : CENTRE/CENTER , ↑ centralization ≠ ↑ decentralization , ↑ centralism , ↑ centrist ; adjective : ↑ central , ↑ centralized ≠ ↑ decentralized , CENTRED/CENTERED , ↑ centrist ; verb : CENTRE/CENTER , ↑ centralize ≠ ↑ decentralize ; adverb : ↑ centrally ]
1 . MIDDLE [only before noun, no comparative] in the middle of an area or an object:
He lives in central London.
The roof is supported by a central column.
Central America/Asia/Europe etc
2 . FROM ONE PLACE [only before noun, no comparative] used about the part of an organization, system etc which controls the rest of it, or its work:
the party’s central office
the system’s central control unit
central planning
3 . IMPORTANT more important and having more influence than anything else
central to
values which are central to our society
Owen played a central role in the negotiations.
His ideas were of central importance in the development of the theory.
central idea/theme/concern etc
Education has become a central issue in public debate.
4 . EASY ACCESS a place that is central is easy to reach because it is near the middle of a town or area:
It’s very central, just five minutes’ walk from the main square.
—centrally adverb :
Our office is centrally situated.
All data is held centrally.
—centrality /senˈtræləti, senˈtrælɪti/ noun [uncountable]
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ nouns
▪ a central role/part
The report emphasizes the central role of science in society.
▪ a central issue
Education is a central issue for the government.
▪ a central theme
What would you say is the central theme of the book?
▪ a central figure (=an important person with a lot of influence)
During this time he was a central figure in American politics.
▪ a central feature
Cultural diversity is a central feature of modern British society.
▪ be of central importance
Loving care is of central importance to a child’s development.
▪ a central concern
Environmental problems are now a central concern.
▪ a central idea
This was a central idea in Marxist theory.
▪ a central argument (=the main set of reasons for or against something)
Let’s consider the central argument for reducing the voting age.
▪ a central aspect
The spread of ideas is a central aspect of globalization.