centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsen-tə-ˌmē-tər  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

Even under an extreme thermal load of 2,000 watts per square centimeter, the system kept the chip comfortably below 100°C (212°F). —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026

The knee-high boots featured a rounded toe and a platform measuring 5.5 centimeters, or just over 2 inches. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 13 June 2026

At the time, Brie's mother Kendra told their 654,000 Instagram followers that doctors found an 8-centimeter tumor in Brie's abdomen in addition to the cancer that had spread elsewhere in her back. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

In comparison, the giant forest scorpion, considered the largest modern-day species of scorpion, is usually between 4 and 5 inches (10 and 13 centimeters) in length. —Shraddha Chakradhar, CNN Money, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing centimeter

• centimeter-gram-second

Rhymes for centimeter

• amphitheater
• bolometer
• centimetre
• decimeter
• ergometer
• expositor
• gasometer
• gravimeter
• hexameter
• manometer
• milliliter
• millimeter

Kids Definition

centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər  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

ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər  ˈsänt- 

: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter