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

Tiny pieces of space junk only 2 inches (5 centimeters) in size are cluttering a valuable orbital region where some of the costliest satellites reside, a new study has found. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 July 2026

The platform provides industry-leading 35-centimeter imagery resolution, enabling greater visual clarity for tactical operations and improving the ability to identify and analyze objects in complex environments. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026

As most objects are believed to be too small to track, ranging in size from 1 millimeter to 10 centimeters, NASA estimates that millions of debris are in low Earth orbit. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Exceptions to the all-white requirements include players being allowed to have a single trim of color on their uniform’s neckline, sleeve cuffs or accessories, if not wider than one centimeter. — Mariah Alanskas, PEOPLE, 10 July 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