centimeter
noun
cen·ti·me·ter
ˈsen-tə-ˌmē-tər 
ˈsän-
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
Veterinarians estimated that the calf weighs between 33 to 37 pounds and is 115 to 120 centimeters long.
—
Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
The cosmic microwave background — the leftover light from when the universe was only 380,000 years old — soaks the entire cosmos, filling every cubic centimeter.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Alternatively, attendees may use a clear carrier bag no larger than 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Skull Island Prawns Part of the Seafarer Dinner experience at Park Hyatt Auckland, Skull Island Prawns showcases naturally sweet prawns sustainably sourced from Australia’s tropical northern waters—some reaching up to 26 centimeters long.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
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Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
The cosmic microwave background — the leftover light from when the universe was only 380,000 years old — soaks the entire cosmos, filling every cubic centimeter.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Alternatively, attendees may use a clear carrier bag no larger than 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Skull Island Prawns Part of the Seafarer Dinner experience at Park Hyatt Auckland, Skull Island Prawns showcases naturally sweet prawns sustainably sourced from Australia’s tropical northern waters—some reaching up to 26 centimeters long.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for centimeter
Cite this Entry
“Centimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centimeter. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
centimeter
noun
cen·ti·me·ter
ˈsent-ə-ˌmēt-ər
ˈsänt-
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
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter
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