centurion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “centurion” mean?
The commander of a century (approximately 80 men) in the ancient Roman army.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The commander of a century (approximately 80 men) in the ancient Roman army.
A high-ranking, experienced soldier in ancient Rome; by extension, any person seen as a seasoned veteran or leader in a particular field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally historical/literary in both variants.
Connotations
Connotes Roman history, military command, discipline, and ancient authority.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general use. Slightly higher frequency in UK educational contexts due to the traditional prominence of Roman history in the curriculum.
Grammar
How to Use “centurion” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] centurion [VERBed] his men.Centurion [PREP] the [NUM] legion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centurion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The general sought to centurion the most experienced veterans. (Rare, non-standard, poetic)
adjective
British English
- He had a centurion-like bearing. (Rare, attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might be used metaphorically and hyperbolically for a long-serving, tough executive.
Academic
Used in historical, classical studies, and archaeology papers discussing the Roman military.
Everyday
Almost never used except in discussions of history, films, or books.
Technical
Specific term in Roman military history and reenactment communities.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centurion”
- Misspelling as 'centurian'.
- Mispronouncing the '-urion' syllable (e.g., /ˈsen.tʃər.i.ən/).
- Using it to refer to any ancient warrior (e.g., a Greek hoplite).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
He was a mid-level officer, equivalent roughly to a modern captain or senior NCO, but with immense respect and authority over his 80 men.
Strictly speaking, no. It is a specifically Roman term. Using it for other ancient armies (e.g., 'a Persian centurion') is historically inaccurate.
Historically, no, as the Roman army was exclusively male. In modern fictional or metaphorical use, the word itself is not gendered, but 'centurion' is typically used.
A centurion was a professional officer in the Roman army. A gladiator was a combatant, often a slave or prisoner, who fought for public entertainment in amphitheatres.
The commander of a century (approximately 80 men) in the ancient Roman army.
Centurion is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Centurion: in British English it is pronounced /senˈtjʊə.ri.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /senˈtʊr.i.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CENTURY (a hundred) + ION (a person). A centurion was in charge of about a hundred soldiers (a 'century').
Conceptual Metaphor
A CENTURION IS A PILLAR OF DISCIPLINE. / EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP IS ROMAN COMMAND.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern metaphorical sense, calling someone a 'centurion' primarily implies they are: