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adj Uncommon

centennial

sehn-TEH-neerl

Centennial (adj) means relating to a hundredth anniversary. Example: “The town held a parade for its centennial celebration.”

adj
1
Relating to a hundredth anniversary.
"The town held a parade for its centennial celebration."
noun
1
The hundredth anniversary of an event.
"This year marks the centennial of the university's founding."

How to use centennial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do with a 100th anniversary, or the anniversary itself.

UK vs US

American English favours "centennial"; British English more often uses "centenary" for the same idea.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
centennial celebration centennial anniversary

Word forms

centennials plural

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Fill the gap

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The town held a parade for its _____ celebration.

Etymology

From Late Latin centennis, "of a hundred years," plus the adjective ending "-al."

Origin: Late Latin

hundred-year-old centenary

Related words

Rhymes for centennial

See all rhymes for centennial →

Frequently asked questions

What does “centennial” mean?

The word “centennial” means relating to a hundredth anniversary. In plain terms, to do with a 100th anniversary, or the anniversary itself.

How do you pronounce “centennial”?

“Centennial” is pronounced sehn-TEH-neerl (/sɛnˈtɛnɪəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “centennial” in a sentence?

Here is “centennial” used in a sentence: “The town held a parade for its centennial celebration.”

What is another word for “centennial”?

Words with a similar meaning to “centennial” include hundred-year-old and centenary.

What part of speech is “centennial”?

Depending on how it is used, “centennial” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “centennial” come from?

The word “centennial” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin centennis, "of a hundred years," plus the adjective ending "-al.".

Is “centennial” a common word?

“Centennial” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “centennial” have?

“Centennial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a hundredth anniversary.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial