centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsen-tə-ˌmē-tər How to pronounce centimeter (audio) ˈsän- How to pronounce centimeter (audio)
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter see Metric System Table

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In the metric system, which is used in most countries of the world, each basic unit of measure of length, area, or volume can be divided into centimeters. A meter consists of 100 centimeters, a square meter consists of 10,000 square centimeters, and a cubic meter consists of 1,000,000 cubic centimeters.

Examples of centimeter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The scans captured the cities down to the centimeter, which allowed researchers to build detailed 3D models. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, snow is in the forecast for the mountaintops around Lake Tahoe, where up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) was forecast by Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024 For the study, the researchers only lifted six small squares of the seafloor measuring about 20 by 20 inches (50 by 50 centimeters) to make as little disturbance as possible. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024 Your four delicate wings, each less than a centimeter long, transport your half-gram body through looming landscapes full of giant animals and plants. quantamagazine.org, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for centimeter 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centimeter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centimeter was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near centimeter

Cite this Entry

“Centimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centimeter. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

centimeter

noun
cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər How to pronounce centimeter (audio) ˈsänt- How to pronounce centimeter (audio)
: a unit of length equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ meter see metric system

Medical Definition

centimeter

noun
cen·​ti·​me·​ter
variants or chiefly British centimetre
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter

More from Merriam-Webster on centimeter

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