nerve center

noun

Synonyms of nerve centernext
1
: center sense 2c
2
: a source of leadership, organization, control, or energy
the financial nerve center of the nation

Synonyms of nerve center

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Examples of nerve center in a Sentence

the economic nerve center of a nation Wall Street's undisputed status as the nerve center for the world of high finance.
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.
This central area—a combined lounge, restaurant and a bar—is the property’s nerve center. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026 Across the room, the electricity is sent through a rectifier, the nerve center for the substation. — New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026 Ultimately the interference can lead to flight disruptions and delays as confusion descends on the nerve center of a plane. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026 Minutes south lies a military nerve center for electronic and cyber warfare, missile defense, and the clandestine monitoring of foreign nuclear tests. — Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nerve center

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve center was in 1868

Rhymes for nerve center

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Browse Nearby Words

nerve cell
nerve center
nerve cord
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Cite this Entry

“Nerve center.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20center. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nerve center

noun
: center entry 1 sense 2c

Medical Definition

nerve center

noun
: center
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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