centenary

noun

cen·​te·​na·​ry sen-ˈte-nə-rē How to pronounce centenary (audio) ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce centenary (audio)
-ˌne-rē,
 especially British  sen-ˈtē-nə-rē
plural centenaries
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An official publication to mark the centenary, Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, will accompany the exhibition. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 21 July 2025 To mark its centenary, the Oetker Collection—guardians of the hotel since 1978—is celebrating by revealing a new look to one of its most iconic rooms, Suite Impériale. Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 The lifespans of mammals vary dramatically, from species of shrew that don’t make it to their first birthday to the bowhead whale, which celebrates two centenaries. Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2025 It’s been a busy year for beyerdynamic, the German headphone brand which celebrated its centenary last year. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for centenary

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of centenary was in 1661

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Cite this Entry

“Centenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centenary. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

centenary

adjective or noun
cen·​ten·​a·​ry
sen-ˈten-ə-rē,
ˈsent-ᵊn-ˌer-ē
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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