centenarian

American  

[sen-tn-air-ee-uhn] / ˌsɛn tnˈɛər i ən /

adjective

1. pertaining to or having lived 100 years.

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noun

1. a person who has reached the age of 100.

centenarian British  

/ ˌsɛntɪˈnɛərɪən /

noun

1. a person who is at least 100 years old

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adjective

1. being at least 100 years old

2. of or relating to a centenarian

Usage

What does centenarian mean? A centenarian is someone who is 100 years old or older.Centenarian can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who’s 100 or older, as in The ceremony honored centenarian veterans, or things related to such a person, as in I have entered my centenarian years. It’s one of several similar terms used to refer to a person of a certain age, including quadragenarian (40s), quinquagenarian (50s), sexagenarian (60s), septuagenarian (70s), octogenarian (80s), and nonagenarian (90s).Someone who is 110 years or older can be called a supercentenarian. Actually, if you’re 110 or older, you can be called whatever you want.Example: I can’t believe I’m going to be a centenarian—tomorrow I turn 100!

Etymology

Origin of centenarian

First recorded in 1745–50; from Latin centenāri(us) ( centenary ) + -an

Example Sentences

The centenarian also received a birthday telegram from the King.

From BBC

When Toledo cooked the dish with the centenarian, she shed light on the nuances that research couldn't capture.

From Salon

This 100-year-old grandmother celebrated being a centenarian with a weight-lifting world record.

From Fox News

The centenarian worked as a joiner, but also served in the RAF during World War Two.

From BBC

The centenarian’s name wasn’t released in line with German privacy laws.

From Seattle Times