centenary

noun

cen·​te·​na·​ry sen-ˈte-nə-rē 

ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē,

-ˌne-rē,

especially British

sen-ˈtē-nə-rē 

plural centenaries

: centennial

centenary adjective

Did you know?

A centenary, like its cousin centennial, is an anniversary. Thus, the year 2013 may mark the centenary of a town's founding, and the year-long calendar of public events that the town sponsors for the occasion—that is, the celebration of the anniversary—can also be called a centenary. Individuals have their own centenaries, which usually celebrate their births; thus, Gerald Ford's centenary will occur in 2013, and John Kennedy's in 2017. And if you live long enough to be a centenarian, you'll be around to join the celebrations.

Examples of centenary in a Sentence

This year marks the centenary of the building's construction.

Recent Examples on the Web

The center is set to open in 2028 to coincide with the centenary of the discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic. —Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024

Over four days of celebrations to mark its centenary in 2014, Spain’s biggest beauty products company inaugurated a new headquarters in Barcelona attended by the Iberian nation’s then Prince Felipe and threw a splashy party for more than 1,000 people at the world’s largest art nouveau complex. —Clara Hernanz Lizarraga, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin centenarium, from Latin centenarius of a hundred, from centeni one hundred each, from centum hundred — more at hundred

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

centenary

adjective or noun

cen·​ten·​a·​ry

sen-ˈten-ə-rē,

ˈsent-ᵊn-ˌer-ē

: centennial