centner

[ sent-ner ]

/ ˈsɛnt nər /

noun

(in several European countries) a unit of weight of 50 kilograms, equivalent to 110.2 pounds avoirdupois.

a unit of 100 kilograms.

Nearby words

centipede, centipede grass, centipoise, centistere, centistoke, centner, cento, centr-, centra, centrad, central

Origin of centner

1675–85 for sense “hundredweight”; < Low German; compare German Zentner, Old High German centenari < Latin centēnārius of a hundred; see centenary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for centner

At first sight it might appear from this statement that where Agricola uses the word centumpondium he means the German centner.
De Re Metallica|Georgius Agricola
Therefore, less went to the farmers for their wheat per bushel or centner.
Principles of Political Economy|Arthur Latham Perry
Centner, sent′ner, n. a common name on the Continent for a hundredweight.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for centner

centner

/ (ˈsɛntnə) /

noun

Also called (esp US): short hundredweight a unit of weight equivalent to 100 pounds (45.3 kilograms)

(in some European countries) a unit of weight equivalent to 50 kilograms (110.23 pounds)

a unit of weight equivalent to 100 kilograms

Word Origin for centner

C17: from German Zentner, ultimately from Latin centēnārius of a hundred; see centenary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012