noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A hand tool used to prepare a workpiece prior to drilling a hole. It typically compresses and then suddenly releases a spring, creating a small indentation that, in turn, guides and centers the drill.
2. 2
   The indentation left by such a tool.

Verb

1. 1
   To prepare a workpiece for drilling by using a centerpunch to create an indentation.
2. 2
   To place something directly in the middle.

Etymology

From center + punch.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.