century

¹

[ sen-chuh-ree ]

noun

, plural cen·tu·ries.

1. a period of 100 years.
2. one of the successive periods of 100 years reckoned forward or backward from a recognized chronological epoch, especially from the assumed date of the birth of Jesus.
3. any group or collection of 100:

   a century of limericks.

4. (in the ancient Roman army) a company, consisting of approximately 100 men.
5. one of the voting divisions of the ancient Roman people, each division having one vote.
6. (initial capital letter) Printing. a style of type.
7. Slang. a hundred-dollar bill; 100 dollars.
8. Sports. a race of 100 yards or meters, as in track or swimming, or of 100 miles, as in bicycle racing.
9. Cricket. a score of at least 100 runs made by one batsman in a single inning.

-century

²

[ sen-chuh-ree ]

1. a combining form of century, affixed to the number that specifies the 100-year span cited, and used only as an adjective:

   19th-century American literature;

   a collection of 6th-century metal sculptures that was stolen in the late 20th century.

century

/ ˈsɛntʃərɪ /

noun

1. a period of 100 years
2. one of the successive periods of 100 years dated before or after an epoch or event, esp the birth of Christ
3. 1. a score or grouping of 100

      to score a century in cricket

   2. ( as modifier )

      the basketball team passed the century mark in their last game

4. (in ancient Rome) a unit of foot soldiers, originally 100 strong, later consisting of 60 to 80 men See also maniple
5. (in ancient Rome) a division of the people for purposes of voting
6. often capital a style of type

Other Words From

• half-centu·ry noun plural halfcenturies

Word History and Origins

Origin of century¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin centuria “unit made up of 100 parts (especially a company of soldiers),” equivalent to cent(um) “hundred” + -uria, perhaps extracted from decuria “a division of 10 men”; decury

Word History and Origins

Origin of century¹

C16: from Latin centuria, from centum hundred

Idioms and Phrases

see turn of the century .

Example Sentences

The olive tree has been a symbol of this land for centuries.

From BBC

So this new film comes heaped high with a century’s worth of heritage, in the traditions of literature, screen and stage, plus the massive expectations that come with that.

From Los Angeles Times

For nearly half a century, voters in Clallam County, Wash., have gone with the winner in 11 straight presidential elections.

From Los Angeles Times

If Republicans bow to his demand to recess the Senate so that he can install appointees without confirmation, it would rewrite the balance of power established by the founders more than two centuries ago.

From Salon

But the great power struggle of the 21st century is not just over trade.

From BBC