centimeter
noun
cen·ti·me·ter
ˈsen-tə-ˌmē-tər 
ˈsän-
ˈsän-
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter see Metric System Table
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In the metric system, which is used in most countries of the world, each basic unit of measure of length, area, or volume can be divided into centimeters. A meter consists of 100 centimeters, a square meter consists of 10,000 square centimeters, and a cubic meter consists of 1,000,000 cubic centimeters.
Examples of centimeter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The dinosaurs that made the tracks would have had legs ranging from 15 to 50 centimeters (about 6 to 20 inches) in length along with a chunky body and short arms, Romilio said.
—
Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
By using a pair of beams at 40 and 39.5 kilohertz the researchers created a pocket of sound a few centimeters across in front of the dummy’s head at 500 Hz, which is within the audible range.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Mar. 2025
Wade said on the TODAY show that his mass was 3 centimeters.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
In their desperate meandering, some larvae—which measure 500 to 600 micrometers (0.05 to 0.06 centimeters) long—will travel several centimeters each day.
—Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centimeter
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Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
By using a pair of beams at 40 and 39.5 kilohertz the researchers created a pocket of sound a few centimeters across in front of the dummy’s head at 500 Hz, which is within the audible range.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Mar. 2025
Wade said on the TODAY show that his mass was 3 centimeters.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
In their desperate meandering, some larvae—which measure 500 to 600 micrometers (0.05 to 0.06 centimeters) long—will travel several centimeters each day.
—Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centimeter
Cite this Entry
“Centimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centimeter. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
centimeter
noun
cen·ti·me·ter
ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər
ˈsänt-
ˈsänt-
: a unit of length equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ meter see metric system
Medical Definition
centimeter
noun
cen·ti·me·ter
variants
or chiefly British centimetre
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter
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