centrepiece

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "centrepiece" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is at the centre of an arrangement or composition and that is the most important or prominent element of it. For example, "The centrepiece of the room was a giant floral arrangement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 114.5m-tall 114.5m-tallded spectowerar views over London; the providedto reopen it in 2014, a centrepiece for the pospectacular Olympic Park.

The Guardian

Court and Craft An exquisite handbag made in medieval Iraq is the centrepiece of the Courtauld's first ever exhibition of Islamic art.

The Guardian - Arts

The centrepiece of the Queen's speech will be Cameron's law promising a referendum on Britain's EU membership before the end of 2017, which was blocked by the Lib Dems in the coalition government.

The Guardian

Doha was on Tuesday awarded the 2019 championships by the IAAF ahead of rival bidders Eugene and Barcelona, marking another significant step in the nation's sporting portfolio, which has the controversial 2022 World Cup as its centrepiece.

The Guardian - Sport

The centrepiece of Chilean Patagonia is the Torres del Paine national park.

The Guardian - Travel

Saints travel to Wigan in a match that is not only the centrepiece of the weekend, but a rematch of last year's infamous Grand Final, which St Helens won to secure a first Super League title in eight years.

The Guardian - Sport

The best-case scenario is that Brand was hosting some sort of depraved sex party, and that Miliband had gone along to strap himself to a rotating plinth and act as a kind of fleshy, fluid-covered centrepiece.

The Guardian

Among these, the centrepiece is the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany of 12 September 1990, also known as the Two-plus-Four Treaty because it was signed by the two Germanys, plus the US, the Soviet Union, Britain and France.

The Guardian - Opinion

The building, a gleaming example of baroque revival architecture built in 1906, is the civic centrepiece of a once great industrial city.

The Guardian - Opinion

What we said: "Through stories that are partly his own – the centrepiece, Little Colored Balloons, ends with Murry's overdose ('I took an ambulance ride – they said I should've died, right there on 16th and Mission') – Murry invests the South with a necromantic realism, where decay is the one constant, but he somehow avoids self-pity or lachrymosity.

The Guardian - Music

The cost of living, rather than tax, is the centrepiece of a manifesto that promises a cap on gas and electricity bills and a pledge to put a ceiling on rent rises hitting the millions renting privately.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "centrepiece" in writing, ensure the context clearly establishes what surrounds or supports this central element. For example, "The treaty was the centrepiece of the new international order."

Common error

Avoid using "centrepiece" to describe something that is merely important but lacks a surrounding context or supporting elements. "Centrepiece" implies a central position within a specific arrangement or plan.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "centrepiece" is as a noun. It typically refers to a central or prominent object in an arrangement or the most important item in a collection. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often appears as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "centrepiece" functions as a noun, denoting the most important or prominent element of something. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, formal business contexts, and science. When writing, it's important to use "centrepiece" to describe something central within a surrounding context. Alternatives like "focal point" or "central element" can be used, but remember that "centrepiece" suggests a central position within a specific arrangement. Overall, "centrepiece" is a versatile and widely accepted term for highlighting key elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focal point

Focuses on the point of attraction, highlighting its visual or conceptual dominance.

central element

Emphasizes the element's role as being fundamental and essential to the whole.

key component

Highlights its role as a crucial part of a larger structure or system.

cornerstone

Indicates foundational importance, suggesting something upon which everything else is built.

linchpin

Stresses its role as a crucial element that holds everything together.

heart of the matter

Refers to the essence or core issue.

crux

Short and direct term pointing to the most important point to solve or explain.

core

Implies a central and essential part, often internal or fundamental.

center of attention

Emphasizes the aspect of being the main thing that people notice.

main attraction

Highlights its role as the most interesting or enjoyable feature.

FAQs

How can I use "centrepiece" in a sentence?

Use "centrepiece" to describe the main or most important item in a collection or arrangement, such as "The new policy is the centrepiece of the government's economic plan".

What are some alternatives to "centrepiece"?

You can use alternatives like "focal point", "central element", or "key component" depending on the context.

Is "centerpiece" or "centrepiece" correct?

"Centrepiece" is the British English spelling, while "centerpiece" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, depending on the regional dialect you are using.

What's the difference between "centrepiece" and "cornerstone"?

"Centrepiece" refers to something central and prominent in an arrangement or plan, while "cornerstone" suggests something fundamental or essential upon which everything else is built.