centner

[ sent-ner ]

noun

1. (in several European countries) a unit of weight of 50 kilograms, equivalent to 110.2 pounds avoirdupois.
2. a unit of 100 kilograms.

centner

/ ˈsɛntnə /

noun

1. Also called (esp US)short hundredweight a unit of weight equivalent to 100 pounds (45.3 kilograms)
2. (in some European countries) a unit of weight equivalent to 50 kilograms (110.23 pounds)
3. a unit of weight equivalent to 100 kilograms

Word History and Origins

Origin of centner¹

1675–85 for sense “hundredweight”; < Low German; compare German Zentner, Old High German centenari < Latin centēnārius of a hundred; centenary

Word History and Origins

Origin of centner¹

C17: from German Zentner, ultimately from Latin centēnārius of a hundred; see centenary

Example Sentences

At first sight it might appear from this statement that where Agricola uses the word centumpondium he means the German centner.

From Project Gutenberg

This is probably the Austrian centner which is equivalent to 123.4615 pounds.

From Project Gutenberg

We had for every one of our corps twelve shot apiece, and in the rear a sufficiency of centners of powder, with ball and match.

From Project Gutenberg