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

The 36-year-old's contributions to the Dodgers becoming baseball's first back-to-back champions in a quarter-century likely won't be forgotten for a long time, and perhaps during contract negotiations, will be a present reminder. —Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025

Rauschenberg, who died in 2008, was born a century ago this year, and two major New York institutions are exhibiting works from his vast and riveting œuvre. —Hilton Als, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2025

The right number of wavelengths of light defined the 20th century’s meter. —Big Think, 10 Nov. 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