(~s, centring, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Note: in AM, use 'center'
1.
A ~ is a building where people have meetings, take part in a particular activity, or get help of some kind.
We went to a party at the leisure ~...
...the National Exhibition Centre.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft in names after n
2.
If an area or town is a ~ for an industry or activity, that industry or activity is very important there.
London is also the major international insurance ~.
N-COUNT: with supp
3.
The ~ of something is the middle of it.
A large wooden table dominates the ~ of the room...
Bake until light golden and crisp around the edges and slightly soft in the ~.
N-COUNT: usu sing
4.
The ~ of a town or city is the part where there are the most shops and businesses and where a lot of people come from other areas to work or shop.
...the city ~.
N-COUNT: usu sing
5.
If something or someone is at the ~ of a situation, they are the most important thing or person involved.
...the man at the ~ of the controversy...
At the ~ of the inquiry has been concern for the pensioners involved.
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n
6.
If someone or something is the ~ of attention or interest, people are giving them a lot of attention.
The rest of the cast was used to her being the ~ of attention...
The ~ of attraction was Pierre Auguste Renoir’s oil painting.
= focus
N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n
7.
In politics, the ~ refers to groups and their beliefs, when they are considered to be neither left-wing nor right-wing.
The Democrats have become a party of the ~.
...the ~ parties.
N-SING: the N, oft N n
8.
If something ~s or is ~d on a particular thing or person, that thing or person is the main subject of attention.
...a plan which ~d on academic achievement and personal motivation...
When working with patients, my efforts are ~d on helping them to overcome illness.
VERB: V on/around n, be V-ed on/around n
-~d
...a child-~d approach to teaching.
COMB in ADJ
9.
If an industry or event is ~d in a place, or if it ~s there, it takes place to the greatest extent there.
The fighting has been ~d around the town of Vucovar...
The disturbances have ~d round the two main university areas...
Between 100 and 150 travellers’ vehicles were scattered around the county, with the largest gathering ~d on Ampfield.
VERB: be V-ed prep, V prep, V-ed
10.
see also community ~ , detention ~ , garden ~ , health ~ , job ~ , left-of-~ , nerve ~ , reception ~ , remand ~ , right-of-~ , shopping ~