centennial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, historical, celebratory.
Quick answer
What does “centennial” mean?
An anniversary of one hundred years, or a celebration thereof.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An anniversary of one hundred years, or a celebration thereof.
Pertaining to a period of one hundred years; lasting for or occurring every one hundred years.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and frequency are nearly identical. The noun is slightly more common in AmE due to prominent national and state centennials. The adjectival use is equally common.
Connotations
In AmE, strongly associated with national history (e.g., US Centennial). In BrE, may be associated with institutional anniversaries (e.g., university, royal).
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “centennial” in a Sentence
[Noun] of the [Event/Institution] centennialto celebrate/commemorate/mark its centennialthe centennial of [Event]a centennial [Noun] (e.g., a centennial history)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centennial” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The society will centennial its founding with a series of lectures.
- They are centenialling the treaty's signing next year.
American English
- The state centennialed its admission to the Union with a parade.
- The museum is centenialling its original opening.
adverb
British English
- The event is held centennially, every hundred years.
- The festival occurs centennially.
American English
- The competition is run centennially.
- The observatory's main telescope is serviced centennially.
adjective
British English
- The centennial celebrations included a royal visit.
- They published a centennial history of the club.
American English
- The city built a centennial monument in the town square.
- A centennial time capsule was buried in 1922.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for company anniversaries and marketing campaigns (e.g., 'Our centennial year brings special offers.').
Academic
Used in historical studies to mark periods and anniversaries of events or publications.
Everyday
Used in community news, family history (e.g., 'The town is planning its centennial.').
Technical
Rare; could be used in geology or climatology to describe 100-year cycles or events.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centennial”
- Spelling: 'centenial' (missing one 'n').
- Confusion: Using 'centennial' to mean 'century' (e.g., 'throughout the centennial' is wrong; use 'throughout the century').
- Overuse as an adjective where 'hundredth' is simpler (e.g., 'the hundredth issue' vs. 'the centennial issue').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are synonyms, both meaning a 100th anniversary. 'Centennial' is preferred in American English, while 'centenary' is somewhat more common in British English, though both are understood everywhere.
Yes, but it is rare and considered formal or journalistic (e.g., 'to centennial an event'). In most contexts, phrases like 'to celebrate the centennial of' are more natural.
The correct spelling is 'centennial', with two 'n's. 'Centenial' is a common misspelling.
A sesquicentennial (150th), bicentennial (200th), tercentennial (300th), etc. The next immediate common anniversary is the 150th (sesquicentennial).
An anniversary of one hundred years, or a celebration thereof.
Centennial is usually formal, historical, celebratory. in register.
Centennial: in British English it is pronounced /senˈten.i.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /senˈten.i.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turn of the century (refers to the change, not specifically the 100th year)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CENT (like 100 cents in a dollar) and TENNIAL (sounds like 'ten' and 'annual') – a '100-year annual' event.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MEASURABLE CYCLE (marked by significant points). A CENTENNIAL is a major milestone on the timeline.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a correct use of 'centennial'?