people-centred
|peo-ple-cent-red|
🇺🇸
/ˈpiːpəlˌsɛntərd/
🇬🇧
/ˈpiːpəlˌsɛntəd/
centered on people
Etymology
'people-centred' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'people' + 'centred'. 'people' ultimately derives from Old English and Old French sources (Old English 'pēopel', Old French 'peuple') from Latin 'populus', where 'populus' meant 'people'. 'centred' derives from Modern English 'centre' from Latin 'centrum', where 'centrum' meant 'center'.
'people' entered Middle English from Old French 'peuple' (from Latin 'populus'); 'centre' entered Middle English via Old French 'centre' from Latin 'centrum'. The adjective compound 'people-centred' is a modern English formation and parallels the US spelling 'people-centered'.
Initially the component words referred literally to 'people' and 'a center'; over time the compound came to mean 'placing people at the center' in policy, design, and service contexts rather than a literal physical center.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
giving priority to people's needs, welfare, and perspectives; focused on improving outcomes for people rather than on institutions or systems.
The charity adopted a people-centred approach to support refugees.
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Adjective 2
designed around the needs and experiences of users, customers, or communities; commonly used in design, services, and business contexts.
The new app follows a people-centred design, making it easy for elderly users.
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Last updated: 2026/01/16 06:05