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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Smaller 50-centimeter markers remained detectable at distances of 250 meters. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 For a few centimeters, one of your body’s main electrical cables runs just under the skin, pressed against bone. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 If technology can measure an offside decision by centimeters, fans may expect every decision to feel equally certain. — Pooya Tabesh, Fortune, 31 July 2026 Albany, the state capital, was hit with 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain over the same period. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for centimeter

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centimeter was in 1794

Phrases Containing centimeter

Rhymes for centimeter

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Browse Nearby Words

centime
centimeter
centimeter dyne
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Cite this Entry

“Centimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centimeter. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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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
ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər How to pronounce centimeter (audio) ˈsänt- How to pronounce centimeter (audio)
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter

More from Merriam-Webster on centimeter

Nglish: Translation of centimeter for Spanish Speakers

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