central
pronunciation
How to pronounce central in British English:
UK [ˈsentrəl]
How to pronounce central in American English:
US [ˈsentrəl]
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- Noun:
- a workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication
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- Adjective:
- serving as an essential component
- in or near a center or constituting a center; the inner area
- used in the description of a place that in the middle of another place
- centrally located and easy to reach
Word Origin
- central (adj.)
- 1640s, from French central or directly from Latin centralis "pertaining to a center," from centrum (see center (n.)). Centrally is attested perhaps as early as early 15c., which might imply a usage of central earlier than the attested date. Slightly older is centric (1580s). As a U.S. colloquial noun for "central telephone exchange," first recorded 1889 (hence, "Hello, Central?"). Central processing unit attested from 1961. Central America is attested from 1826.
Example
- 1. China 's central government responded promptly .
- 2. Economic aid will be central to the talks .
- 3. The problem of homelessness has been central to social policy in britain for years .
- 4. Do not be distracted from what is central .
- 5. This is the juche tower , in central pyongyang .