1
: located in or at a center : central
a centric point
2
: concentrated about or directed to a center
a centric activity
3
: of, relating to, or having a centromere
4
: of, relating to, or resembling an order (Centrales) of radially symmetrical diatoms

-centric

2 of 3

adjective combining form

1
: having (such) a center or (such or so many) centers
polycentric
2
: having (something specified) as its center
heliocentric

centrical

3 of 3

adjective (2)

cen·​tri·​cal
ˈsen-tri-kəl
: central, centric
in the centrical part of town

Examples of centric in a Sentence

Adjective combining form The solar system is heliocentric, meaning that the sun is at its center.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Bruce Springsteen surprised the coastal crowd during Bleachers‘ show in Asbury Park to deliver a pair of nostalgic Jersey-centric songs on Friday night. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026 Her replacement, Christophe Leribault, critics say, is a somewhat safer pick who will likely shift the museum away from the robust contemporary art program under Des Cars, and toward a more French and Western-centric vision. Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The ’90s-centric movie remains the ultimate portrait of New York’s high fashion world at the time, with guest appearances including Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026 The pickup is getting a new exterior design as well as a tech-centric new interior design. Charles Singh, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for centric

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Greek kentrikos of the center, from kentron

Adjective combining form

Medieval Latin -centricus, from Latin centrum center

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of centric was circa 1593

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Centric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centric. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Medical Definition

centric

adjective
1
: of or relating to a nerve center
2
: of, relating to, or having a centromere
3
of dental occlusion : involving spatial relationships such that all teeth of both jaws meet in a normal manner and forces exerted by the lower on the upper jaw are perfectly distributed in the dental arch
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