centennial

noun

cen·​ten·​ni·​al sen-ˈte-nē-əl 

: a 100th anniversary or its celebration

centennial adjective

centennially

sen-ˈte-nē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of centennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Supporting co-sponsors include Iris and Michael Smith, plus centennial champagne toast and official airline partner, American Airlines, cocktails curated by Tequila Don Julio, and the City of West Hollywood. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

Dobrez said he was inspired to make the movie after seeing the drone show that was part of Flossmoor’s centennial celebration in 2024. —Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

City Librarian John Szabo said the library will complete its own 2026 time capsule at the end of this year's centennial celebration. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

In its centennial year, Russ opened a sit-down restaurant a few blocks south on Orchard Street, offering the signature bagel sandwiches and platters, plus a full bar (there are now four locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn). —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin centum + English -ennial (as in biennial)

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for centennial

• biennial
• decennial
• millennial
• perennial
• quadrennial
• quinquennial
• triennial
• bicentennial
• sesquicentennial

Kids Definition

centennial

1 of 2 noun

cen·​ten·​ni·​al

sen-ˈten-ē-əl

: a 100th anniversary or its celebration

centennial

2 of 2 adjective

: relating to a period of 100 years

centennially

-ē-ə-lē

adverb