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Origin and Etymology of percent
earlier per cent, from per + Latin centum hundred — more at hundred
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
percent
Definition of percent
percent
orpercents
1 plural percent a : one part in a hundredb : percentage a large percent of their income
2 percents plural, British : securities bearing a specified rate of interest
Examples of percent in a Sentence
The value has increased half a percent.
First Known Use of percent
1667
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
percent
Definition of percent
1 : reckoned on the basis of a whole divided into 100 parts
2 : paying interest at a specified percent
First Known Use of percent
1888
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
PERCENT Defined for English Language Learners
percent
Definition of percent for English Language Learners
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: one part in a hundred : an amount that is equal to one one-hundredth of something
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: a part of a whole
PERCENT Defined for Kids
Definition of percent for Students
: out of every hundred : measured by the number of units as compared with one hundred a 15 percent raise My rent was raised 15 percent.
Definition of percent for Students
percent
: a part or fraction of a whole expressed in hundredths Ten percent of the class failed the test.
Word Root of percent
The Latin word centum, meaning “hundred,” gives us the root cent. Words from the Latin centum have something to do with the number 100. A dollar is made up of 100 cents. A century is a period of 100 years. A percent is the portion of something out of 100 parts.
Learn More about percent
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See words that rhyme with percent Spanish Central: Translation of percent Nglish: Translation of percent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of percent for Arabic speakers
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