cent

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noun

ˈsent 

1

: a monetary unit equal to ¹/₁₀₀ of a basic unit of value (such as dollar, euro, rand) see birr, dollar, euro, leone, lilangeni, nakfa, rand, rupee, shilling at Money Table

2

: a coin, token, or note representing one cent

3

: the fen of the People's Republic of China

cent

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abbreviation (1)

1

centigrade

2

central

3

centum

4

century

Cent

3 of 3

abbreviation (2)

Central

Examples of cent in a Sentence

Noun

A dime is worth 10 cents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shifting from washing your jeans every 2.5 wears to every 10 wears would reduce the carbon footprint of the consumer phase by 75 per cent. —Emily Chan, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2024

Last month, the company announced a quarterly dividend of 93 cents per share for its Class A common stock, payable on Dec. 31. —Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 22 Dec. 2024

Atletico Mineiro are 75 per cent owned by Galo Holding, a group of Brazilian investors. —Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

The same rate of 21 cents per mile will apply in 2025 for moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, also unchanged from last year. —Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, hundred, from Latin centum — more at hundred

First Known Use

Noun

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cent

• euro cent
• not one red cent
• per cent
• red cent

Kids Definition

cent

noun

ˈsent

1

: a unit of value equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ part of a basic unit of money (as of a dollar or euro)

2

: a coin or bill representing one cent

Etymology

Noun

from early French cent "hundred," from Latin centum "hundred"