centimeter

UK: ˈsɛntɪmiːtə | US: ˈsɛntəˌmitər

Definition

  1. n. a unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter (0.01 m).

Structure
centi <hundred>meter <measure>
Etymology

The word "centimeter" combines the Latin-derived prefix centi- (meaning "hundred") with meter (from Greek metron, "measure"). The metric system, developed during the French Revolution, standardized units like the meter, and centi- was adopted to denote fractions (1/100). This reflects the system's decimal logic, where prefixes scale measurements uniformly (e.g., milli- = 1/1000, kilo- = 1000).

Examples

  1. A standard ruler is 30 centimeters long.

  2. The tumor measured 2 centimeters in diameter.

  3. Rainfall was recorded at 5 centimeters per hour.

  4. The baby’s height increased by 10 centimeters in six months.

  5. The fabric is sold by the centimeter for precision tailoring.