century
Pluralcenturies
- 1A period of one hundred years, often counted from a set starting point.
Like one hundred years lined up in a row.
My grandmother lived for almost a century.
The stone bridge was built more than a century ago.
UsageSay in the 19th century. It means the 1800s.
Note
- 2A score of 100 or more, such as 100 runs in cricket or 100 points in one turn at snooker.
Like hitting a big round number that the whole team cheers for.
He scored his first century at the age of nineteen.
The crowd roared when she reached a century.
UsageA player scores a century in cricket.
Note
- 3A bill worth one hundred dollars.
UsageIn writing, say hundred-dollar bill.
Less common meanings
- 4A group of one hundred things of the same kind.
Like a full box holding exactly one hundred of the same thing.
She has now played a century of games for her country.
The team celebrated its century of wins with a big party.
UsageSay a century of games or wins.
Similarhundred
Note
- 5A race or long ride that covers one hundred units, such as meters or miles.
Like a race named after how far it goes.
Our bike club rides a century every fall, all one hundred miles.
He trained all summer for the century on his bike.
UsageCyclists ride a century. A metric century is 100 kilometers.
Note
- 6A unit of the ancient Roman army commanded by a centurion, originally one hundred soldiers but later varying in size.
Like a small army team with its own leader.
The century marched into battle behind its centurion.
Each century camped in its own row of tents.
Note
- 7A voting group in ancient Rome that took part in one of its main assemblies.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin centuria, from centum meaning 'one hundred'. It reached English through Old French.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Century derives from Latin centuria. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin centuria derives from centum, meaning 'one hundred'. en.wiktionary.org
- Century entered English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org