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

Whatever his contemporaries thought of Melville’s prose, at least his coworkers respected his dedication and honesty, the later a rare commodity in government work during the late nineteenth-century. —Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

Goodfellas has acquired world sales rights for Pierre Salvadori’s offbeat period drama Vénus Electrificata, set against the backdrop of the early 20th century Paris art world and starring Pio Marmaï, Anaïs Demoustier, Gilles Lellouche and Vimala Pons. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026

Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2026

In an Old Florida twist, Brightline runs along some of the same railways that were knitted together by Henry Flagler in the late 19th and early 20th century—the ones that laid the groundwork for the state’s present-day tourism industry. —Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

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