What is Center?
Center is an English word that is used in American English language to describe a point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends or surfaces of something, in other words, a point, area or part that is approximately in the middle of a larger area or volume.
What is Centre?
Centre is an English word that is used in British or UK English language to describe a point or place that is equally distant from the sides or outer boundaries of something, in other words, a part of an object that surrounded by the rest.
Difference, Meaning & Usage
Other than spelling, there is no difference in meaning between center and centre. However, their usage depends on the English being used i.e American or British. Center is the preferred spelling in the American English whereas Centre is preferred spelling in British or UK English.
As a Noun
- It is a point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends or surfaces of something, in other words, a point, area or part that is approximately in the middle of a larger area or volume.
- In geometry, it is the midpoint of any line or figure especially the point that is equally distant from every point on the circumference of a circle or sphere.
- The point from which an activity or process is directed or on which it is focused i.e the city was a center of discontent.
- A political party or group whose opinions avoid extremes, especially between those of conservatives and liberals.
- The middle player in a line or group in certain team.
- The point, axis or pivot about which a body rotates.
- A place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated i.e a conference center.
- A point, area, person or thing that is most important in relation to an indicated activity, interest or condition.
Also Read: Difference Between Equity And Equality
As a Verb
As a verb center can represent various relations involving, finding or turning about a center. The choice of a preposition to accompany center depends on the meaning one wants to convey. The words center and centre can mean any of the following when used as verbs.
- To occur mainly in or around (a specified place) i.e the case centres around the couple’s adopted children.
- To place or fix at or around a center or central area i.e the team’s offense lined up to centre the ball.
- To focus or bring together i.e to centre one’s thoughts or hopes.
- To play as a center in sports i.e football or hockey.