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

The city grew in the 19th century, with the nearby Murry Adobe dating to 1853. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Over the centuries, Chapter House changed hands several times, growing and changing until it was eventually purchased by hospitality industry vets Phil and Silvia Baxter in 2021, who have been lovingly, methodically updating it since. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

This allows manufacturers to bypass spinning, weaving, cutting or sewing — the multistage process that has defined apparel manufacturing for centuries. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 July 2026

On Wednesday, the Indonesian Consulate in New York hosted an event celebrating the return of two 8th-century bronze sculptures to Indonesia. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 10 July 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