cent

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noun

ˈsent 

1

: a monetary unit equal to 1/100 of a basic unit of value (such as dollar, euro, rand) see birr, dollar, euro, leone, lilangeni, nakfa, rand, rupee, shilling at Money Table

2

: a coin, token, or note representing one cent

3

: the fen of the People's Republic of China

cent

2 of 3

abbreviation (1)

1

centigrade

2

central

3

centum

4

century

Cent

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abbreviation (2)

Central

Examples of cent in a Sentence

Noun

A dime is worth 10 cents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Microchip Technology now expects adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, versus previous guidance of 34 cents to 40 cents a share. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025

Customers can use the special 20 cents off with their existing fuel points. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Affordability has always been a draw for Mixue— even if the price of its 15 cent cone has ticked up—but there’s more to the ice cream and beverage chain than cheap treats. —Theodora Yu, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025

Meijer's name brand list cost 79 cents more than in September. —Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, hundred, from Latin centum — more at hundred

First Known Use

Noun

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cent

• euro cent
• not one red cent
• per cent
• red cent

Rhymes for cent

• bent
• blent
• ent
• fent
• lent
• meant
• pent
• rent
• rente
• scent
• sent
• spent

Kids Definition

cent

noun

ˈsent

1

: a unit of value equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ part of a basic unit of money (as of a dollar or euro)

2

: a coin or bill representing one cent

Etymology

Noun

from early French cent "hundred," from Latin centum "hundred"