centers

Noun

center (plural centers)

1. (Canada, US, alternative) The point in the interior of a circle that is equidistant from all points on the circumference.
   • If a point be taken within a circle, and more than two equal straight lines fall from the point on the circle, the point taken is the centre of the circle.1908, Euclid, translated by Thomas L. Heath, Elements, III.9
2. (Canada, US, alternative) The point in the interior of a sphere that is equidistant from all points on the circumference.
   • Japanese scientists are to explore the centre of the Earth. Using a giant drill ship launched next month, the researchers aim to be the first to punch a hole through the rocky crust that covers our planet and to reach the mantle below.2005 June 4, David Adam, The Guardian
3. (Canada, US, alternative) The middle portion of something; the part well away from the edges.
   1. (Canada, US, alternative, obsolete) The innermost point of the Earth, or the Earth itself, as the center or foundation of the Universe; the center or foundation of the Universe abstractly.
      • [...] their portion set
        As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
        As from the Center thrice to th'utmost Pole.1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
4. (Canada, US, alternative) The point on a line that is midway between the ends.

   Synonyms:

   midpoint

5. (Canada, US, alternative) The point in the interior of any figure of any number of dimensions that has as its coordinates the arithmetic mean of the coordinates of all points on the perimeter of the figure (or of all points in the interior for a center of volume).
   • The centroid is one of the centres of a triangle

See all 43 meanings of center