A centralized database is like a big bag of toys that belongs to all the kids in your class. The teacher keeps it in her closet and everyone asks her if they can borrow a toy from it when they need one. The teacher also makes sure to keep track of which toy each person borrowed, so nobody takes more than they should.
Similarly, a centralized database is a computer system that stores a lot of information in one place, and controls who can access it. This database is managed by a single entity or organization that owns and controls the data. They make sure that everyone who wants to access the data follows certain rules and only retrieves the data they are supposed to.
Just like the teacher in the class, the database owner can also keep track of who is accessing the data, when they are doing it, and what they are looking at. This helps them keep the data organized and secure, and make sure that nobody is doing anything they're not supposed to.
Overall, a centralized database is like a big storage room for information that someone is responsible for keeping safe and organized, and only allowing the right people to access it.