'center' originates from Old French 'centre', from Latin 'centrum', from Greek 'kentron', meaning 'sharp point, stationary point of a compass'.

'centrum' transformed into the Old French word 'centre', and eventually became the modern English word 'center' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'sharp point or stationary point', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'middle point or place of focus'.