central Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication
    telephone exchange; exchange.
  2. adjective satellite serving as an essential component
    cardinal; key; fundamental; primal.
    • a cardinal rule
    • the central cause of the problem
    • an example that was fundamental to the argument
    • computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure
  3. adjective in or near a center or constituting a center; the inner area
    • a central position

WordNet

Cen"tral adjective
Etymology
L. centralis, fr. centrum: cf. F. central. See Center.
Definitions
  1. Relating to the center; situated in or near the center or middle; containing the center; of or pertaining to the parts near the center<-- original had "or of.." -->; equidistant or equally accessible from certain points.
Cen"tral, Cen*tra"le noun (Also<
  • Central
  • Centrale
)
Etymology
NL. centrale, fr. L. centralis.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) The central, or one of the central, bones of the carpus or or tarsus. In the tarsus of man it is represented by the navicular.

Webster 1913