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

In 1950, there were just 2,300 centenarians in the U.S.

From MarketWatch

May's milestone is still one very few people achieve despite the number of centenarians in the UK doubling over the past 20 years.

From BBC

However, several studies have cast doubt on the validity of global centenarian numbers, suggesting data errors, unreliable public records and missing birth certificates may account for elevated figures.

From BBC

Singh became the first centenarian to finish a marathon three days later, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8 hours, 11 minutes and 6 seconds.

From Los Angeles Times

Years ago, he attended a senior event in Ventura where centenarians were asked how they stayed healthy.

From Los Angeles Times