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Centennial: meaning, definitions and examples

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centennial

 

[ ˌsɛnˈtɛnɪəl ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

anniversary celebration

Centennial refers to the celebration or commemoration of a 100th anniversary. It is commonly used to mark the 100th anniversary of an event, organization, or institution.

Synonyms

100th anniversary, centenary, centennial celebration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
centennial

This word is often used in historical and official contexts to denote the 100th anniversary of an event or institution.

  • The city is planning a centennial parade to mark its 100th year.
  • We are publishing a book on the school's centennial history.
centenary

This word is more commonly used in British English and in more formal or academic settings.

  • The centenary of the author's birth was marked by several events.
  • Museums across the country celebrated the centenary of the historic battle.
centennial celebration

This phrase specifically refers to events organized to celebrate a 100th anniversary and is often used in promotional or community contexts.

  • Join us for a centennial celebration featuring live music and fireworks.
  • The centennial celebration included speeches, performances, and historical exhibits.
100th anniversary

This term is less formal and more straightforward, often used in various contexts, including personal celebrations or milestones.

  • They celebrated their company's 100th anniversary with a big party.
  • The 100th anniversary of the park's opening will be next year.

Examples of usage

  • The town held a centennial parade to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
  • Our school will have a centennial gala to honor its founding 100 years ago.
Context #2 | Adjective

relating to a period of 100 years

Centennial can also be used as an adjective to describe something that relates to a period of 100 years. It is often used in historical contexts to refer to events, buildings, or institutions that are 100 years old.

Synonyms

100-year, centenary, hundredth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
centennial

Used to describe the 100th anniversary of an event or the celebration of something 100 years old. Typically used in formal or ceremonial contexts.

  • The museum is hosting a special exhibit for its centennial.
  • A centennial parade is planned to mark the city's founding.
hundredth

Describes the ordinal number corresponding to 100. Also used to denote the 100th iteration of something. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts but does not usually carry the same celebratory connotation as 'centennial' or 'centenary.'

  • She received a certificate for being the hundredth participant in the marathon.
  • The company celebrated its hundredth product launch this year.
100-year

A straightforward and common way to describe something that is 100 years old or an anniversary that occurs after 100 years. Used in both everyday and formal language.

  • The 100-year anniversary of the school will be celebrated next month.
  • This 100-year-old tree has been a landmark in the park.
centenary

Similar to 'centennial,' but more commonly used in British English. It describes the 100th anniversary of an event. Used in both formal and historical contexts.

  • The town celebrated its centenary with a historical reenactment.
  • A centenary edition of the book was published to mark the event.

Examples of usage

  • The museum displayed centennial artifacts from the early 1900s.
  • The centennial oak tree in the park is a symbol of the town's history.

Translations

Translations of the word "centennial" in other languages:

🇵🇹 centenário

🇮🇳 शताब्दी

🇩🇪 hundertjährig

🇮🇩 seratus tahun

🇺🇦 сторіччя

🇵🇱 stulecie

🇯🇵 百年祭

🇫🇷 centenaire

🇪🇸 centenario

🇹🇷 yüzyıllık

🇰🇷 백년의

🇸🇦 مئوي

🇨🇿 století

🇸🇰 storočie

🇨🇳 百年纪念

🇸🇮 stoletje

🇮🇸 aldarafmæli

🇰🇿 жүз жылдық

🇬🇪 ასი წლისთავი

🇦🇿 yüzillik

🇲🇽 centenario

Etymology

The word 'centennial' originated from the Latin word 'centum', meaning 'hundred'. It first appeared in the early 19th century and has been widely used to refer to 100th anniversaries ever since. The concept of celebrating centennials dates back to ancient Roman times, where special events were held to mark the completion of each century.

See also: cent, centenary, centesimal, centre, centum, century.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,204, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.