centenary
noun
cen·te·na·ry
sen-ˈte-nə-rē 
ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē
ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē
-ˌne-rē
especially British sen-ˈtē-nə-rē
plural centenaries
centenary
adjective
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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
Gaudí is best known for the Sagrada Familia, where Pope Leo XIV presided over the blessing and inauguration of the central Tower of Jesus Christ on June 10, during events marking the centenary of the architect’s death.
—
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 June 2026
The two-door was unveiled in concept form as both a way of celebrating the automaker’s upcoming centenary and a tribute to the car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row, the GT40.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 June 2026
As the centenary of the global treaty to end slavery approaches, leaders must stop viewing human trafficking as an adjacent social cause and start treating it as part of our collective human wellbeing.
—Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The original World Cup hosts—and winners—in 1930, Uruguay will host the opening match of the 2030 World Cup, to mark the centenary.
—Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
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Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 June 2026
The two-door was unveiled in concept form as both a way of celebrating the automaker’s upcoming centenary and a tribute to the car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row, the GT40.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 June 2026
As the centenary of the global treaty to end slavery approaches, leaders must stop viewing human trafficking as an adjacent social cause and start treating it as part of our collective human wellbeing.
—Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The original World Cup hosts—and winners—in 1930, Uruguay will host the opening match of the 2030 World Cup, to mark the centenary.
—Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for centenary
Cite this Entry
“Centenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centenary. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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