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community center

community center

64 1.8
A building where local people meet for events, classes, and activities
  • noun
  • /kəˈmjunɪti ˈsɛntər/
  • US
translation icon : centro comunitario
  • The community center offers various classes for residents to improve their skills.
  • community center activities
  • community center courses
  • community centers offer

We had to finally take the computer out of the Community Center.

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Examples

  • Sign up for a workshop at a nearby college, public library, or community center.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We're having a get together at the community center tonight, -and we would love for you to come.

  • But it is a community centre for all people.

  • To be the new director at the community center.

  • We'll be in the Community Center.

  • I could make a donation to the community center.

  • Youth are of particular interest for the community centers, and they are offered sports, music, and other courses.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Josephine had a fish fry at the community center.

  • Most of the settlements cultivate a rich cultural life on their own and through community centers.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Elysian has its own school, a community center, and a babysitting co-op.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

center
vscommunity center
  • US
1.0

A place where people go for a service or activity

is used for many local social educational and recreational activities
gathering place
vscommunity center
8 2.3

A place where people meet regularly to talk and spend time

is an organized building offering formal programs and services for residents
civic center
vscommunity center
  • US
1 2.7

A building where people meet for events, classes, and community activities

is smaller and focuses on local educational and recreational activities

How Big

arena
129 2.9
civic center
  • US
1 2.7
community center
  • US
64 1.8
clubroom
1 3.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

community + center

The meaning 'a place where people in a community gather' is directly compositional from 'community' (people living together) + 'center' (a place providing a service). This noun-noun compound follows a regular, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Community center shows the simple idea of a center where the community, or local people, come together for classes, meetings, and events. So it means 'a place where local people meet and take part in activities'.