The central business district; downtown.
A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
A settlement granted special status by royal charter or letters patent; traditionally, a settlement with a cathedral regardless of size.
A large amount of something (used after the noun).
Synonym of central city (“the main city of a metropolitan area; particularly one containing multiple cities”).
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see principal, city.