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 quarter-century since, Muslim Americans have played a growing role in public life from statehouses to Congress to New York City Hall, where Zohran Mamdani is the city's first Muslim mayor. — Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026

Berman’s project has been remarkably successful over the last quarter-century. — David Freedlander, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026

The English word indigenous has been applied to peoples (namely, the Samoyed peoples of Siberia) since at least the 16th century. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Review An iconic city landmark, this 14th-century converted Doge's palace dominates the lagoon, and sits just a short stroll away from the Bridge of Sighs and the monuments of Piazza San Marco. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 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

Kids Definition

century

noun

cen·​tu·​ry ˈsench-(ə-)rē 

plural centuries

1

: a group of 100 things

2

: a period of 100 years