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

Whereas cross-country skis are long and narrow, the skimo version are almost like kids’ skis — up to 150 centimeters for women and 160 for men. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026

With Mrs Bieber paving the way, expect her disciples to ditch the pilates socks and micro Uggs for a modest three-centimeter heel any day now. —Olivia Allen, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026

Potential densities could reach 10¹⁴ devices per square centimeter – about 1,000 times greater than today’s silicon chips, Nanowerk writes. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

Snowboard bags—like snowboards—are measured in centimeters. —Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 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