centerpiece

noun

cen·​ter·​piece ˈsen-tər-ˌpēs How to pronounce centerpiece (audio)
ˈse-nər-
1
: an object occupying a central position
especially : an adornment in the center of a table
2
: one that is of central importance or interest in a larger whole
the centerpiece of a political agenda

Examples of centerpiece in a Sentence

resolution of the original dispute became the centerpiece of the negotiations
Recent Examples on the Web This scene serves as the film’s centerpiece, bringing any number of latent conflicts collectively to the surface, though there is an air of contrivance, workshopping even, to its heavily pointed rhetoric. Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Their wedding was featured as the centerpiece of the series’ third season. Shania Russell, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 Living pictures were utilized as part of church services, as entertainment during royal weddings and other events and as a centerpiece during community festivals and celebrations. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Then add flowers and water for a simple floral centerpiece. Kit Selzer, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2024 Its centerpiece octagonal pool lined with pillars sits adjacent to the Buda side of the city’s iconic Elizabeth Bridge, underneath a dramatic dome dating back to 1572. Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024 In 1937, Ford and his wife Clara completed construction on a stately Georgian Revival mansion that now serves as the centerpiece of the private Ford Field and River Club community. Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 In 2021, some pushed him to publicly criticize Joe Manchin, the conservative Democrat who had scuttled the centerpiece of the Administration’s agenda, a bill known as Build Back Better. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 One centerpiece, the decorative multi-part organ screen that is in the Huntington’s collection, has been reunited with other components for the first time in more than four decades. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centerpiece.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of centerpiece was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near centerpiece

Cite this Entry

“Centerpiece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centerpiece. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

centerpiece

noun
cen·​ter·​piece ˈsent-ər-ˌpēs How to pronounce centerpiece (audio)
: a piece put in the center of something and especially a decoration (as flowers) for the center of a table

More from Merriam-Webster on centerpiece

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