A centrifugal pump for a household appliance includes a synchronous alternating current electrical motor having a permanent magnet rotor and a bladed impeller coupled to an end of the rotor which extends into a cavity in the hub thereof. The rotor and the hub are provided with transverse coupling formations, respectively, which have angular extensions with angular play between the rotor and the impeller for promoting the starting of the motor. The rotor coupling formation includes a transverse appendage on a rigid drive body secured to the rotor, and a resilient damping formation molded onto the drive body and having two end portions for engaging the impeller coupling formation, and an intermediate portion which interconnects the end portions and extends at least partially through the drive body so that the damping formation as a whole is constrained axially and angularly on the drive body.