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

By changing the current sent to the motor, the researchers can set its jump height with single-centimeter accuracy. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Another investigation on 141 mothers found that an active cell phone placed in a box 20 centimeters (about 6 inches) from their abdomen for 10 minutes could affect their fetus’s heart rate. — New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026

Forecasters said the storm could drop up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain. — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

About 140 new craters that appear on the moon each year — some of which can span about 30 feet (9 meters) across — are the work of space rocks measuring about 43 inches (109 centimeters) wide. — CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing centimeter

• centimeter-gram-second

Rhymes for centimeter

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

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