cent

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noun

ˈsent 

1

: a monetary unit equal to ¹/₁₀₀ of a basic unit of value (such as dollar, euro, rand) see birr, dollar, euro, leone, lilangeni, nakfa, rand, rupee, shilling at Money Table

2

: a coin, token, or note representing one cent

3

: the fen of the People's Republic of China

cent

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abbreviation (1)

1

centigrade

2

central

3

centum

4

century

Cent

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abbreviation (2)

Central

Examples of cent in a Sentence

Noun

A dime is worth 10 cents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s no need to spend a cent, although you might be tempted. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024

The price of a first-class stamp reached 10 cents in 1974, just before the 200th anniversary of the service. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 13 July 2024

Management continues to expect the third-quarter dividend to increase 14%, to 40 cents per share (from 35 cents), pending approval by its board of directors. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 12 July 2024

For each 100 points, customers (Boost and Kroger Plus customers) save ten cents per gallon of fuel, up to $1 per gallon. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, hundred, from Latin centum — more at hundred

First Known Use

Noun

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cent

• euro cent
• not one red cent
• per cent
• red cent

Kids Definition

cent

noun

ˈsent

1

: a unit of value equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ part of a basic unit of money (as of a dollar or euro)

2

: a coin or bill representing one cent

Etymology

Noun

from early French cent "hundred," from Latin centum "hundred"