nucleus; backbone; mainstay; key figure
Refers to the core people or elements that support an organization or group; often used for mid-career employees who are the driving force.
彼は会社の中堅として活躍している。
He is active as a mainstay of the company.
Developing mid-career employees is important.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
medium-level; mid-level; middle-ranking; midsize
Describes something of intermediate rank, size, or level; commonly used for companies, positions, or tournaments.
We will hold a seminar for midsize companies.
He holds a middle-ranking position.
main body (of troops); crack troops; select troops
Historical military term for the core or elite central unit of an army; rarely used in modern contexts outside historical descriptions.
In the Warring States period, the main body of troops was the direct unit of the general.
center field; center fielder
Baseball term; refers to the center field position or the player who defends it.
He played center field in high school baseball.
middle-order competitor (in team matches)
Used in martial arts team competitions (kendo, judo, etc.) for the athlete who competes in the middle match; e.g., second in a 3-person team or third in a 5-person team.
See also: 先鋒 (せんぽう)
In team competitions, the outcome of the middle-order match holds the key.