centenary

noun

cen·​te·​na·​ry sen-ˈte-nə-rē  ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē 

-ˌne-rē

especially British sen-ˈtē-nə-rē

plural centenaries

: centennial

centenary adjective

Did you know?

A centenary, like its cousin centennial, is an anniversary. Thus, the year 2013 may mark the centenary of a town's founding, and the year-long calendar of public events that the town sponsors for the occasion—that is, the celebration of the anniversary—can also be called a centenary. Individuals have their own centenaries, which usually celebrate their births; thus, Gerald Ford's centenary will occur in 2013, and John Kennedy's in 2017. And if you live long enough to be a centenarian, you'll be around to join the celebrations.

Examples of centenary in a Sentence

This year marks the centenary of the building's construction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Xi made the comments at a landmark speech marking the centenary of the birth of one of his predecessors – Jiang Zemin, who was China’s leader from 1993 to 2002. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

This time around, the show themes included Japanese grand tourers, a tribute to the Lamborghini Diablo, and a commemoration of the Route 66 centenary. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

As Fendi approached its centenary in 2025 amid a luxury market downturn, the house entered another period of transition. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Greece's Ministry of Culture successfully organized for the centenary of her birth to be included in UNESCO's 2023 anniversary commemorations. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin centenarium, from Latin centenarius of a hundred, from centeni one hundred each, from centum hundred — more at hundred

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for centenary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

centenary

adjective or noun

cen·​ten·​a·​ry

sen-ˈten-ə-rē, 

ˈsent-ᵊn-ˌer-ē

: centennial