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

Crafted like a drum, each sieve features a thin, 15-centimeter (6 inches) high wooden rim that secures the traditional horsetail fabric. —ABC News, 9 June 2026

But during the imaging process, doctors noticed something else entirely — a four-centimeter mass in the left temporal region of Linkin's brain. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026

Despite being only a few centimeters across, the sensor can determine the direction of incoming signals with an accuracy of about two degrees. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026

With its focus on centimeter-level precision auto-park system and one-touch automatic hitching, the trailer tries to help lower the barrier to entry for first-time RV users. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 4 June 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