centenary

noun

cen·​te·​na·​ry sen-ˈte-nə-rē How to pronounce centenary (audio) ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce centenary (audio)
-ˌne-rē,
 especially British  sen-ˈtē-nə-rē
plural centenaries
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
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.
To mark the centenary of Enrico Baj’s birth, Milan celebrates one of the masters of the Italian and international neo-avant-garde with a retrospective curated by art historian Chiara Gatti and the artist’s wife Roberta Cerini Baj. Andrea Onate, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024 There is then footage of William holding an umbrella for her during an event marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Thiepval Memorial, in France, on July 1, 2016. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024 Photo : Bugatti Rimac This year marks the centenary of the Bugatti Type 35, which won approximately 2,500 races in period. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024 The centenary of Irish independence has inspired a flood of writing. Fintan O'Toole, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for centenary 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of centenary was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near centenary

Cite this Entry

“Centenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centenary. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

centenary

adjective or noun
cen·​ten·​a·​ry
sen-ˈten-ə-rē,
ˈsent-ᵊn-ˌer-ē

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