centennial

noun

cen·​ten·​ni·​al sen-ˈte-nē-əl How to pronounce centennial (audio)
: a 100th anniversary or its celebration
centennial adjective
centennially adverb

Examples of centennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Italy’s Torino Film Festival will celebrate the centennial of Marlon Brando‘s birth with a 24-title retrospective of films featuring the groundbreaking two-time Oscar winner, known for his naturalistic acting style and rebellious streak. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas explained why the centennial celebration is meaningful. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2024 Mutual funds mark key anniversary The mutual fund industry is celebrating the centennial of the first such portfolio in the U.S., when Massachusetts Investors Trust first opened its doors in 1924. The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2024 Monaco National Day commemorates the centennial of Prince Rainier, who, along with his wife Princess Grace, founded the country's modern dynasty, and a series of events were held to commemorate the celebration. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024 The film was commissioned by the National Museum of Asian Art to mark the 2023 centennial of its Freer Gallery of Art, where the 79-minute movie will screen on March 1. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 Scorsese’s mob showed a bizarre, defensive enthusiasm for the subject, as if celebrating its centennial. Armond White, National Review, 8 Nov. 2023 Pixar’s sister company, Walt Disney Animation Studios, has also struggled, including with 2023’s centennial release Wish, which earned just $210 million worldwide and this week failed to earn PGA and Annie nominations. Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2024 To celebrate Disney’s centennial, electronics brand Samsung and Disney have teamed up for a limited edition version of the super popular The Frame TV: the Disney100. Esther Carlstone, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centennial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin centum + English -ennial (as in biennial)

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centennial was in 1791

Dictionary Entries Near centennial

Cite this Entry

“Centennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centennial. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on centennial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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