centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsen-tə-ˌmē-tər  ˈsän- 

: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter see Metric System Table

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In the metric system, which is used in most countries of the world, each basic unit of measure of length, area, or volume can be divided into centimeters. A meter consists of 100 centimeters, a square meter consists of 10,000 square centimeters, and a cubic meter consists of 1,000,000 cubic centimeters.

Examples of centimeter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But microwaves are much longer in wavelength, at around 10 centimeters (a few inches), and so the light can’t pass through the holes. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025

The drain doesn’t drain more than maybe a centimeter an hour. —Ivy Scott, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025

Fifty centimeters of snow covered the ground when Messiaen and three fellow POWs presented a new composition for clarinet, cello, violin, and piano. —Rebecca Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

This month, Mahéo introduced his most recent style, the Evans, with a whopping 28-centimeter leg opening. —Nick Hendry, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing centimeter

• centimeter-gram-second

Rhymes for centimeter

• amphitheater
• centimetre
• decimeter
• ergometer
• expositor
• gasometer
• gravimeter
• hexameter
• manometer
• milliliter
• millimeter
• millimetre

Kids Definition

centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər  ˈsänt- 

: a unit of length equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ meter see metric system

Medical Definition

centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter

variants or chiefly British centimetre

ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər  ˈsänt- 

: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter