centenary

noun

cen·​te·​na·​ry sen-ˈte-nə-rē  ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē 

-ˌne-rē,

 especially British  sen-ˈtē-nə-rē

plural centenaries

: centennial

centenary adjective

Did you know?

A centenary, like its cousin centennial, is an anniversary. Thus, the year 2013 may mark the centenary of a town's founding, and the year-long calendar of public events that the town sponsors for the occasion—that is, the celebration of the anniversary—can also be called a centenary. Individuals have their own centenaries, which usually celebrate their births; thus, Gerald Ford's centenary will occur in 2013, and John Kennedy's in 2017. And if you live long enough to be a centenarian, you'll be around to join the celebrations.

Examples of centenary in a Sentence

This year marks the centenary of the building's construction.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2012, to mark its centenary, Universal launched its Restoration Project. —Lise Pedersen, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024

Now, with the Morgan Library celebrating its centenary as a public institution, Greene is honored in a special exhibition. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

This edition marks the centenary of the last time Paris hosted the Games in 1924. —Renan Botelho, WWD, 29 July 2024

In a few months, The New Yorker will celebrate its centenary. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin centenarium, from Latin centenarius of a hundred, from centeni one hundred each, from centum hundred — more at hundred

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

centenary

adjective or noun

cen·​ten·​a·​ry

sen-ˈten-ə-rē,

ˈsent-ᵊn-ˌer-ē

: centennial