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Meaning & use

in the center of

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ɪn ðə ˈsentə əv/
US/ɪn ðə ˈsentər əv/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    In the middle part of a place, area, or object.

    Grammar: Followed by a noun: in the center of the room. British spelling is 'centre'.

    Patterns

    • in the center of something
    • stand in the center of something
    • be located in the center of something

    There is a large table in the center of the kitchen.

    The statue stands in the center of the square.

    She put the flowers in the center of the table.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    In the middle of a period of time or an event.

    Grammar: Used with events or periods: in the center of the storm, in the center of the debate.

    Patterns

    • in the center of something
    • be at the center of something

    The town was in the center of the storm and lost power for days.

    She found herself in the center of a heated argument.

Common combinations

in the center of town
The hotel is right in the center of town.
in the center of the page
Write your name in the center of the page.
in the center of the room
A round rug lay in the center of the room.
in the center of the circle
The children sat in the center of the circle.

Synonyms and how they differ

in the middle of
This is the more common everyday phrase and works for both places and time; 'in the center of' sounds a little more exact or formal.
at the heart of
This is figurative and means the most important part, not a physical middle.

Opposites

on the edge ofon the outskirts of

Word family

center noun
The middle point or part of something.
central adjective
Located in the middle, or most important.

Commonly confused: in the center of or in the middle of? in the center of or centre?

in the center of vs in the middle of

Both are correct, but 'in the middle of' is far more common in speech; 'in the center of' often suggests an exact central point.

in the center of vs centre

This is the British spelling of 'center'. Do not mix the two spellings in the same text.

Practice

The new library is ______ the center of the city, near the main station.

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