century

noun

cen·​tu·​ry ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)rē 

plural centuries

1

: a period of 100 years

a company that has been in business for more than a century

specifically : one of the 100-year divisions of the Christian era or of the preceding period of human history

the third century A.D./B.C

the 18th century

2

: a group, sequence, or series of 100 like things

3

a

: a subdivision of the Roman legion

b

: a voting unit of ancient Rome constituted according to property qualifications

4

: a race over a hundred units (such as yards, miles, or meters)

Examples of century in a Sentence

It took more than a century to complete the cathedral.

The pottery dates back to the sixth century B.C.E.

When the prince got married, it was called the wedding of the century.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, their importance declined measurably in the last half of the 20th century. —arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024

During the 20th century, tascas dotted every neighborhood of Lisbon, serving as affordable lunchrooms for the working class. —Austin Bush, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2024

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoridation is one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, up there with vaccination, family planning and recognition of the health dangers of tobacco. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024

By the second decade of the twentieth century, Wilshire gave up on electoral politics and embraced Syndicalism and the general strike, at least in print. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin centuria, irregular from centum hundred

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing century

• century plant
• the turn of the century

Kids Definition

century

noun

cen·​tu·​ry ˈsench-(ə-)rē 

plural centuries

1

: a group of 100 things

2

: a period of 100 years