Dictionary.com

centimeter

[ sen-tuh-mee-ter ]
/ ˈsɛn təˌmi tər /

noun

one 100th of a meter, equivalent to 0.3937 inch. Abbreviations: cm, cm.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ IF A DAZZLING VOCABULARY IS YOUR DESIDERATUM!

Have the Words of the Day from October 19–25, 2020, made an indelible mark on your memory? Take the quiz to find out!
Question 1 of 7
What does “clement” mean?
having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.
mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate.
favorite; cherished.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Also especially British, cen·ti·me·tre .

Origin of centimeter

From the French word centimètre, dating back to 1795–1805. See centi-, meter1

Words nearby centimeter

centile, centiliter, centilitre, centillion, centime, centimeter, centimeter-gram-second, centimeter-gram-second system, centimetre, centimetre-gram-second, centimo
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for centimeter

Medical definitions for centimeter

centimeter
[ sĕn′tə-mē′tər ]

n.

A unit of length equal to one hundredth (10-2) of a meter.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for centimeter

centimeter
[ sĕn′tə-mē′tər ]

A unit of length in the metric system equal to 0.01 meter. See Table at measurement.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for centimeter

centimeter
[ (sen-tuh-mee-tuhr) ]

A unit of length in the metric system; one-hundredth of a meter, or about two-fifths of an inch.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.