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

No great power sustained as dominant a position over its neighboring region as the United States did during most of the twentieth century. —Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025

Kleiman also found evidence to believe that some members of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel were not all expelled to Mesopotamia in the 7th century B.C. and actually may have stayed in Megiddo. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025

There's a long history to April Fools' Day, a tradition that may date back to the 15th century. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025

The notion of an errant line emitted from disabled bodies, intentionally or unintentionally, is inextricable from the modern origins of graphic inscription and other graphic methods in the nineteenth century. —Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for century

• penitentiary
• plenipotentiary

Kids Definition

century

noun

cen·​tu·​ry ˈsench-(ə-)rē 

plural centuries

1

: a group of 100 things

2

: a period of 100 years