centimeter

[sen-tuh-mee-ter]

noun

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

Also especially British, cen·ti·me·tre.

Origin of centimeter

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for centimeters

Contemporary Examples of centimeters

The reenvisioned design will measure 24 centimeters in diameter and will retail for a cool $2,400.
Lady Gaga To Collaborate With Versace; Chanel Hula Hoop Bag For Sale
The Fashion Beast Team
November 15, 2012
SMERSH estimated his height at “183 centimeters, weight 76 kilograms, slim build.”
Literary Bond Superior to Movie Version
Allen Barra
November 11, 2012
But Elite subsequently dismissed her, saying her hips were too big by two centimeters (3/4 of an inch).
Ananda Marchildon, ‘Too Fat’ Model, Wins Lawsuit
Nadette De Visser
March 7, 2012
Marchildon starved herself and exercised relentlessly to try to lose the required two centimeters, but to no avail.
Ananda Marchildon, ‘Too Fat’ Model, Wins Lawsuit
Nadette De Visser
March 7, 2012
By May, its bulb can grow as big as two centimeters, and turns pink and then a deep red as it matures.
The Wonderful World of Ramps
Jeff Gimmel
April 26, 2011

Historical Examples of centimeters

He employed a cylinder 12 centimeters in diameter fitted with a piston.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 417
Various
The sides of the cubes diminish from ten centimeters to one centimeter.
Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook
Maria Montessori
He was at least fifteen centimeters shorter than Stern himself, and much lighter.
The Best Made Plans
Everett B. Cole
He cut in two a stick eighteen centimeters in diameter in eighteen minutes.
Folkways
William Graham Sumner
The diameter of this coin is two centimeters, and its weight is five grams.
Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880
Various

Word Origin and History for centimeters

centimeter

n.

also centimetre, 1801, from French centimètre (18c.), coined from Latin centum "hundred" (see hundred) + French mètre (see meter (n.2)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

centimeters in Medicine

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.

centimeters in Science

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.

centimeters in Culture

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.