centenarian

noun

cen·​te·​nar·​i·​an ˌsen-tə-ˈner-ē-ən How to pronounce centenarian (audio)
-ˈne-rē-
: one that is 100 years old or older
centenarian adjective

Did you know?

We can't say there are exactly 100 English words based on the Latin root centum, meaning "hundred," but there are certainly dozens. "Centenarian" isn't the oldest one; it only dates from the late 1700s. Far older is "centurion" (an ancient Roman military officer), which has been around since the 13th century. A younger "centum" offspring is "centisecond," a rare term for 1/100 of a second that dates from the 1950s. From colorful words such as "centicipitous" (which means "100-headed") to practical ones like "centgener" ("a device for planting 100 seeds"), "centum" descendants have enlivened our language for centuries.

Examples of centenarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While different foods can support overall health and longevity, research often highlights 10 foods centenarians eat. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 11 Dec. 2024 Of all centenarians alive today, Schaeffer said, 78% are women, and 77% are white. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024 This research mirrors that of the Blue Zone’s findings regarding Okinawan centenarians forming a Moai, or group of individuals who pledge to be lifelong friends. Wes Moss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Eleven centenarians celebrated milestone birthdays at Rowntree Gardens on Friday, Oct. 11, an event honoring their achievements in life, contributions to their communities and – of course – hitting triple digits. Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for centenarian 

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centenarian was in 1747

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Dictionary Entries Near centenarian

Cite this Entry

“Centenarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centenarian. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

centenarian

noun
cen·​te·​nar·​i·​an ˌsent-ᵊn-ˈer-ē-ən How to pronounce centenarian (audio)
: a person 100 years old or older
centenarian adjective

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