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Centimetre Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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centimetre

[หˆsษ›ntษชหŒmiหtษ™r ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

unit of measurement

A centimetre is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one hundredth of a meter. It is commonly used to measure small distances.

Synonyms

cm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
centimetre

This is the British English spelling for the unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. It's commonly used in countries that follow British English conventions.

  • The grass in the garden has grown ten centimetres
  • The width of the fabric is 50 centimetres
cm

This abbreviation is widely used in both American and British English to refer to centimeters or centimetres in a more concise way. It is commonly seen in technical documents, measurements on maps, and everyday conversations where brevity is preferred.

  • The package dimensions are 30 cm by 20 cm by 15 cm
  • Make sure the margin is only 2 cm

Examples of usage

  • The length of the pencil is 15 centimetres.
  • She measured the width of the table in centimetres.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In the scientific community, the centimetre is commonly used in fields like biology to measure organisms or parts of them.
  • A common conversion is that 1 inch is approximately 2.54 centimetres, bridging an important gap between metric and imperial systems.
  • The centimetre is part of the International System of Units (SI), which promotes global standardization in measurements.

Education

  • Students often learn about the centimetre as they start measuring objects in school projects, making math more practical.
  • Centimetres are frequently taught in relation to measurement tools like rulers and tape measures, essential in crafts and construction.
  • In primary education, converting between centimetres and inches is a common lesson, helping students understand larger and smaller units.

Daily Life

  • Many everyday items such as paper, furniture, and even food are often labeled in centimetres to provide a clear understanding of size.
  • Fashion design often uses centimetres to specify clothing size, allowing consumers to find a better fit.
  • In cooking, some recipes might specify sizes in centimetres, especially for presenting dishes or cutting vegetables.

Cultural Context

  • The use of centimetres is common in countries using the metric system, while others, like the U.S., predominantly use inches and feet.
  • In international sports, track and field events use metric measures, including metres and centimetres, for accuracy.
  • Artists often use centimetres in their dimensions when creating works, ensuring precision in their canvases or installations.

Origin of 'centimetre'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'centimetre' comes from French, combining 'centi-' meaning one hundred and 'mรจtre,' which means meter.
  • The metric system, which includes the centimetre, was developed in France during the late 18th century.
  • Before adopting the metric system, many countries used a variety of local measurement systems, making trade and science challenging.

The word centimetre originated from the French word 'centimรจtre', which was derived from the Latin word 'centum' meaning 'hundred' and the French word 'mรจtre' meaning 'meter'. The use of centimetres as a unit of measurement became widespread in the late 18th century with the adoption of the metric system.

See also: kilometre, millimetre.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,126, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.