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

Still, the Four Corners region could get more heavy rain this weekend, with up to half an inch (1 centimeter) forecast to fall in northwestern New Mexico. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Rocks and plants The first method measures beryllium-10, an isotope that accumulates in the top few centimeters of rock that is exposed to the sky. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026

In tests, the device maintained stable operation for over 72 hours, producing hydrogen at a rate of 466 μmol per square centimeter per hour. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

Approximately 100 billion neutrinos pass through each square centimeter of our bodies every second. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 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