centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsen-tə-ˌmē-tər  ˈsän- 

: 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 rules are very specific, often detailing the exact position of certain controls down the centimeter. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2024

Although only bits of her braincase were recovered, the fragments suggested a brain volume of 388 cubic centimeters. —Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Heavy rainfall was expected Sunday ahead of the hurricane and likely will then combine with Milton’s rainfall to flood waterways and streets in Florida, where forecasters said up to a foot (30 centimeters) of rain could fall in places through Wednesday night. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2024

For hepatic adenomas that are smaller than 5 centimeters (cm) and linked to oral contraceptive use, healthcare providers usually take a careful approach. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing centimeter

• centimeter-gram-second

Kids Definition

centimeter

noun

cen·​ti·​me·​ter ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər  ˈsänt- 

: 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  ˈsänt- 

: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter