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
His Milwaukee brewery became iconic beginning in the 19th century.
—
Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
During the 19th century, Nice was a winter destination for the European aristocracy.
—Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Trump has openly flirted with nearly every major conspiracy theory of the last half century, and championed one of the most reckless through his insistence without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 15 July 2025
The rules are no game, and the fact that one of the biggest and most compelling series of the 21st century isn’t even in the running for the big prize is not playing fair.
SELENA GOMEZ
There is a lot more than than murder going on in the building this morning.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for century
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Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
During the 19th century, Nice was a winter destination for the European aristocracy.
—Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Trump has openly flirted with nearly every major conspiracy theory of the last half century, and championed one of the most reckless through his insistence without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 15 July 2025
The rules are no game, and the fact that one of the biggest and most compelling series of the 21st century isn’t even in the running for the big prize is not playing fair.
SELENA GOMEZ
There is a lot more than than murder going on in the building this morning.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for century
Cite this Entry
“Century.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/century. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
century
noun
cen·tu·ry
ˈsench-(ə-)rē
plural centuries
1
: a group of 100 things
2
: a period of 100 years
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