Center is the middle point of something, the spot that's the same distance from all edges. The center of a circle is that single point where, if you drew lines to the edge in any direction, they'd all be exactly the same length. The center of a basketball court is marked with a circle where jump balls happen. When you find the center of a pizza, you're finding the spot where all the slices meet.

In another sense, a center is a place where important activities happen or where people gather for a specific purpose. A community center hosts events and programs for neighborhood residents. A medical center is where doctors and hospitals provide healthcare. The phrase “the center of attention” describes someone everyone is watching or listening to, like a performer on stage.

The word also describes a moderate political position between extreme views, neither far left nor far right. Politicians who occupy the center try to find compromises between opposing sides.

As a verb, to center means to place something in the middle or to focus your attention on something specific. You might center a picture on a wall or center your thoughts during meditation. When a story centers on a particular character, that person is the main focus of the plot.