Confusing Words: Center (noun/verb) and Centre (noun/verb)
Meaning: the point that is equally distant from every point on the circumference of a circle or sphere.
Center vs Centre Clarification: Center and centre are two different spellings of the same word.
Center vs Centre – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Which one should I use, center or centre?
Beside the pattern of the letters, center and centre have same letters in them. In fact, there is no difference in terms of pronunciation, meaning and function.
Definition
Center or centre can be used as a noun or a verb within sentences. As a noun, it is used to refer a middle part of something. It can also be used to refer a place, an organization or an institute of a particular activity.
1. May you please put the bowl on the center/centre of the table?
2. In the center/centre of the hall, there is a large fountain that draws everyone’s attention.
3. There will be a serious discussion on the issues of The Health Care Center/Centre, which we are facing nowadays.
4. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center/Centre is a genuine project and a living proof of generosity of the people of Pakistan. (Hadiqa Kiani)
As a verb, it means to put or to fix something in the middle of an area.
1. Center/Centre all the paragraphs of your research paper.
2. If you center/centre the lens, you may take your best shot.
Check Out: The Difference Between Capital and Capitol.
Center or Centre?
Actually, center and centre are two different spellings of the same word. These words can be used interchangeably. However, you have to be careful of the region or the intended audience for whom you are writing. In the light of this discussion, center is the preferred spelling in American English whereas; centre is the dominant spelling in British English.
Center = American English
Centre = British English
Below are the two examples that are taken from an American and a British publication.
1. Lib Dem constitutional spokesman Lord Tyler, jokes: “It is the best day care centre for the elderly in London, families can drop in him or her and make sure that the staff will look after them very well nice meals subsidised by the taxpayer, and they can have a snooze in the afternoon in the chamber or in the library.” (BBC News)
2. Apple is preparing to start construction on a new $50 million data center project as demand for its iCloud business—and all of those photos, documents, and music that it stores for its customers—continues to grow. (Fortune)
So, you have to be careful with word choice. Always choose centre when you are in front of British audiences, whereas choose center for American audiences.
What Did You Learn?
Center and centre are two different spellings of the same word. Center is preferred in American English, while centre is the preferable spelling in British English.
As a noun, it is used to refer a middle part of something; or an organization/institute of a particular activity.
As a verb, it means to put or to fix something in the middle of an area.