central

[sen-truhl] / ˈsɛn trəl /

ADJECTIVE

main, principal; in the middle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basic essential fundamental important key paramount pivotal significant

STRONG

cardinal center chief dominant interior intermediate leading master mean median middle midway primary prime radical ruling salient umbilical

WEAK

axial centric centroidal equidistant focal foremost inmost inner mid middlemost midmost nuclear omphalic outstanding overriding predominant

Antonyms

STRONGEST

additional auxiliary extra inessential insignificant minor nonessential secondary trivial unimportant unsubstantial

STRONG

exterior extreme inferior outer outside subordinate

WEAK

peripheral

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The team created a complex structure in which mirror layers trap photons inside a central "quantum film."

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

In 1980, Turner launched Cable News Network as the first dedicated rolling news channel, which soon became a central part of the media landscape.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Although the Federal Reserve was expected to cut its interest rate going into 2026, the energy shock has more economists saying it is unlikely that the central bank will cut rates in 2026.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

The central bank “bought the Treasury a massive amount of breathing room,” Stanley writes.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

I had been invited to visit his clinic in the central plateau, in the village of Cange, called Zanmi Lasante.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Vocabulary lists containing central

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2

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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1

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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

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