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

Right now, nearly one million fragments of metal, paint, and shattered rocket parts larger than a single centimeter are tearing through Earth’s orbit at extreme speeds. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Rainfall totals could reach up to 24 inches (60 centimeters) in some areas on Kauai. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Finally, the researchers tested their system using real blocks, each a few centimeters across, with circuitry inside that ran computations locally. — Matthew Hutson, Scientific American, 6 Sep. 2026

Neutral hydrogen emits a faint radio signal that astronomers call the 21-centimeter line. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 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