polycentric

adjective

poly·​cen·​tric ˌpä-lē-ˈsen-trik 

: having more than one center (as of development or control): such as

a

: having several centromeres

polycentric chromosomes

b

: characterized by polycentrism

Examples of polycentric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This remarkably narrow perspective fails to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of polycentric intra-city urban growth, which is crucial for the comprehensive prosperity and enhanced amenities of the city and its communities. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024

This system would be based on governments managing competing, polycentric sovereign wealth funds that aim to provide public services at a profit. —James Broughel, Forbes, 4 May 2023

By the end of the 1990s, the polycentric and suburban city was regarded as the paradigm of U.S. urbanism. —Max Holleran, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2022

This is akin to a large mutual society and is risk adjusted both by the volume of experienced participants and stakeholders and its polycentric nature. —Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021

The city should also be what Uber describes as polycentric, basically pockets of dense areas of development spread around a larger metro area. —Kirsten Korosec, Fortune, 10 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

poly- + -centric; (sense b) after Italian policentrico

Note: The Italian word apparently first came to notice in an interview with Palmiro togliatti published in the journal Nuovi argomenti (May-June, 1956). An English translation of the interview was published in London in the same year as "Problems of the Development of Social Democracy. Questions Posed by the 20th Congress, C.P.S.U."

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polycentric

adjective

poly·​cen·​tric ˌpäl-i-ˈsen-trik 

: having several centromeres

polycentric chromosomes

compare monocentric