centenary

noun

cen·​te·​na·​ry sen-ˈte-nə-rē How to pronounce centenary (audio) ˈsen-tə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce centenary (audio)
-ˌne-rē,
 especially British  sen-ˈtē-nə-rē
plural centenaries
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
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.
Alongside Morocco, the 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain and Portugal, with three matches also taking place in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina to mark the competition’s centenary. Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 Surrealism is having a moment as the movement marked its centenary last year; after selling René Magritte’s L’empire des lumières for a record $121 million in New York in November, Sotheby’s is now offering his dreamlike gouache, L’État de veille ($1 million-$1.5 million), in Saudi Arabia. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 15 Jan. 2025 Loro Piana also marked its centenary by celebrating the work and vision of legendary Milanese architect and designer Cini Boeri on the centenary of her birth. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024 Founded as a fisherman’s camp in 1924, Huka Lodge marked its centenary by undertaking a major renovation of its 20 suites, two multibedroom cottages, and communal spaces. Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for centenary

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of centenary was in 1661

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Cite this Entry

“Centenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centenary. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

centenary

adjective or noun
cen·​ten·​a·​ry
sen-ˈten-ə-rē,
ˈsent-ᵊn-ˌer-ē
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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