centimeter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2Neutral to formal, but widely used in all registers when discussing measurements.
Quick answer
What does “centimeter” mean?
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a meter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a meter.
A specific, often small, measurement or increment; sometimes used metaphorically to indicate a small but critical margin or degree.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British 'centimetre' vs American 'centimeter'. No difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Both spellings carry identical connotations of metric measurement. In the US, its use reinforces metric system context.
Frequency
Equally frequent in contexts requiring metric measurements in their respective regions.
Grammar
How to Use “centimeter” in a Sentence
NUMERAL + centimeter(s) (e.g., 'ten centimeters')a + (single) + centimeter (e.g., 'a single centimeter')measure + OBJECT + in + centimetersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centimeter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A two-centimetre gap was left for expansion.
- The centimetre measurement is standard here.
American English
- A two-centimeter gap was left for expansion.
- The centimeter measurement is standard here.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing specifications, product dimensions (e.g., 'The device is 15 centimeters wide').
Academic
Standard unit in scientific reporting, medical records, and engineering.
Everyday
Common in describing height, length of objects, sewing, and DIY projects.
Technical
Precise unit in STEM fields; often prefixed (e.g., 'nanometer', 'millimeter').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centimeter”
- Misspelling as 'centermeter' or 'sentimeter'.
- Incorrect abbreviation: using 'ctm' instead of 'cm'.
- Using plural 'centimeter' with a number >1 (e.g., 'five centimeter' instead of 'five centimeters').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Centimeter' is exclusively a noun (a unit of measurement). It is not used as a verb.
A centimeter is a metric unit (1/100th of a meter), while an inch is an imperial unit (~2.54 centimeters). The system of measurement differs.
In American English, it is commonly pronounced as /ˈsɛn(t)əˌmiːtər/, where the first 't' can be a glottal stop or lightly pronounced, and the primary stress is on the first syllable.
Yes, in a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'a ten-centimeter ruler'), it functions adjectivally. It does not have a separate adjective form.
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a meter.
Centimeter is usually neutral to formal, but widely used in all registers when discussing measurements. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not budge an centimeter”
- “every centimeter counts”
- “within a centimeter of (something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CENTI-meter as a CENT (coin) - a hundred cents make a dollar, a hundred centi-meters make a meter.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION/MEASUREMENT IS A SMALL UNIT (e.g., 'He examined the problem to the last centimeter').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct abbreviation for 'centimeter'?