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

Their apparatus demonstrated quantum key distribution across a distance of 30 centimeters. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026

As much as 23 inches (58 centimeters) has fallen in parts of Montana, 21 inches in Wisconsin and 20 in Minnesota, said David Roth, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

As a general rule, doctors apply the net only in areas where the skin has been lifted, placing the nonabsorbable sutures about a centimeter apart, and leaving them in place for 48 to 72 hours. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026

Blizzard conditions persisted Monday in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan, where the storm brought as much as 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow by morning. —ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

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