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Definition of centrex

centrex

/ˈsɛn.trɛks/
cen · trex
Plural:centrexes
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centrex Lexical Profile

centrex Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A business telecommunications service providing private branch exchange (PBX) features, where the switching equipment is housed and managed at the local telephone company's central office rather than on the customer's premises.

Example

"The hospital opted for a centrex network to minimize upfront hardware investments and rely on the provider for system maintenance."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for centrex

Word Nuance & Usage

Often capitalized (Centrex) as it was originally a Bell System trademark, the term is frequently contrasted with a PBX because the physical switching equipment remains at the telecom provider's facility rather than at the customer's site.

• Nearby Words

centralized
centrally
centranthus
centrex
centric
centrifuge
centrism

Word Origin & Etymology

A portmanteau of the words 'central' and 'exchange', introduced as a telecommunications service brand in the 1960s.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Centrex. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/centrex
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