century

noun

cen·​tu·​ry ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)rē 

plural centuries

1

: a period of 100 years

a company that has been in business for more than a century

specifically : one of the 100-year divisions of the Christian era or of the preceding period of human history

the third century A.D./B.C

the 18th century

2

: a group, sequence, or series of 100 like things

3

a

: a subdivision of the Roman legion

b

: a voting unit of ancient Rome constituted according to property qualifications

4

: a race over a hundred units (such as yards, miles, or meters)

Examples of century in a Sentence

It took more than a century to complete the cathedral.

The pottery dates back to the sixth century B.C.E.

When the prince got married, it was called the wedding of the century.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the first decade of the 20th century, Cobb consolidated his ownership in not just the Idaho Statesman but two other Boise newspapers and signed up with The Associated Press, the cooperative through which newspapers shared stories. —Idaho Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025

Yet the idea of paying seven figures to spend a week in the Chicago suburbs—at the former residence of an NBA icon who retired a quarter-century ago—proved a hard sell. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Although this hasn’t been studied formally, observations have found that stone or concrete baths, which have been used for centuries, store some heat, which delays freezing—especially when the baths are placed in a sunny location. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025

Gina Bacconi At over a century old, British brand Gina Bacconi has long established a style of timeless eveningwear with era-definitive elegance. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin centuria, irregular from centum hundred

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing century

• century plant
• the turn of the century

Rhymes for century

• penitentiary
• plenipotentiary

Kids Definition

century

noun

cen·​tu·​ry ˈsench-(ə-)rē 

plural centuries

1

: a group of 100 things

2

: a period of 100 years