Definition of central adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
central
adjective
ˈsentrəl ˈsentrəl
1most importantThe central issue is that of widespread racism.She has been a central figure in the campaign.Prevention also plays a central role in traditional medicine.Reducing inflation is central to(= is an important part of) the government's economic policy.2having power or control over other partsthe central committee (= of a political party)The organization has a central office in York.3in the centre of an area or objectcentral LondonCentral America/Europe/AsiaThere will be rain later in central and eastern parts of the country.the central area of the brain4easily reached from many areasThe flat is very central—just five minutes from Princes Street.a central location5(phonetics) (of a vowel) produced with the centre of the tongue in a higher position than the front or the back, for example /ɜː/ in bird compare back, frontcentrality
senˈtræləti senˈtræləti
noun[uncountable]: (formal) the centrality of the family as a social institutioncentrally
ˈsentrəli ˈsentrəli
adverbThe hotel is centrally located for all major attractions.a centrally planned economyIs the house centrally heated (= does it have central heating)?
Usage note: mainmajorkeycentralprincipalchiefprimeThese words all describe somebody/something that is the largest or most important of its kind.main [only before noun] largest or most important: Be careful crossing the main road.◇The main thing is to remain calm.major [usually before noun] very large or important: He played a major role in setting up the system.Major is most often used after a with a singular noun, or no article with a plural noun. When it is used with the or my/your/his/her/our/their it means ‘the largest or most important’: Our major concern here is combatting poverty. In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main: Be careful crossing the major road.◇The major thing is to remain calm.key [usually before noun] most important; essential: He was a key figure in the campaign.Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that somebody plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal than major, especially when used after a noun and linking verb: Speed is key at this point.central (rather formal) most important: The central issue is that of widespread racism.Central is used in a similar way to key, but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrase something is central to something else.principal [only before noun] (rather formal) most important: The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade somebody of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to use key or central: The key/central issue here is…chief [only before noun] (rather formal) most important: Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first: My prime concern is to protect my property.a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concerna/the main/major/principal road/town/citythe main/key thing is to…to be of major/key/central/prime importance
ˈsentrəl 
ˈsentrəl 
1 most importantThe central issue is that of widespread racism.She has been a central figure in the campaign.Prevention also plays a central role in traditional medicine.Reducing inflation is central to (= is an important part of) the government's economic policy.
Usage note: mainmajor key central principal chief primeThese words all describe somebody/something that is the largest or most important of its kind.main [only before noun] largest or most important: Be careful crossing the main road. ◇ The main thing is to remain calm.major [usually before noun] very large or important: He played a major role in setting up the system. Major is most often used after a with a singular noun, or no article with a plural noun. When it is used with the or my/your/his/her/our/their it means ‘the largest or most important’: Our major concern here is combatting poverty. In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main: Be careful crossing the major road. ◇ The major thing is to remain calm.key [usually before noun] most important; essential: He was a key figure in the campaign. Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that somebody plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal than major, especially when used after a noun and linking verb: Speed is key at this point.central (rather formal) most important: The central issue is that of widespread racism. Central is used in a similar way to key, but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrase something is central to something else.principal [only before noun] (rather formal) most important: The principal reason for this omission is lack of time. Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade somebody of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to use key or central: The key/central issue here is…chief [only before noun] (rather formal) most important: Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first: My prime concern is to protect my property.a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concerna/the main/major/principal road/town/citythe main/key thing is to…to be of major/key/central/prime importance