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

When tested, their atom-thin communication system not only survived months in orbit—it is predicted to last centuries in harsher space environments. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026

The destination’s name alone conjures up mid-century nostalgia, a certain Old Hollywood romanticism filled with ice-cold martinis sipped in moody, red velvet-heavy steakhouses and of poolside bonhomie worthy of a Slim Aarons photo. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026

The former Prince Andrew became the first British royal in centuries to be arrested Thursday. —Nick Duffy, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026

Legal experts in Britain say the law used to arrest Mountbatten-Windsor is a catchall common-law offense, centuries old, that has been used to prosecute all manner of serious abuses of official power when no modern statute fits neatly. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 20 Feb. 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