century
Looking for the meaning of century? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A period of 100 consecutive years; often specifically a numbered period with conventional start and end dates, e.g., the twentieth century, which stretches from (strictly) 1901 through 2000, or (informally) 1900 through 1999. The first century AD was from 1 to 100.
A unit in ancient Roman army, originally of 100 army soldiers as part of a cohort, later of more varied sizes (but typically containing 60 to 70 or 80) soldiers or other men (guards, police, firemen), commanded by a centurion.
A political division of ancient Rome, meeting in the Centuriate Assembly.
A hundred things of the same kind; a hundred.
A hundred runs scored either by a single player in one innings, or by two players in a partnership.
A score of one hundred points.
“That was his tenth professional century.”
A race a hundred units (as meters, kilometres, miles) in length.
A banknote in the denomination of one hundred dollars.
Understanding "century"
The word **"century"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈsɛn.t͡ʃə.ɹiː/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"century"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "century" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "century" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "century" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈsɛn.t͡ʃə.ɹiː/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "century" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "century" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "century" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "century". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈsɛn.t͡ʃə.ɹiː/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "century" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use century in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "century" can be used in academic and casual conversations.