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)
Cite this Entry
“Century.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/century. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
