metric centner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, industrial, agricultural, historical
Quick answer
What does “metric centner” mean?
A unit of mass equal to 100 kilograms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of mass equal to 100 kilograms.
In some historical or regional contexts, refers to a unit of mass equivalent to 50 kilograms (specifically a 'zentner' in some Germanic systems). However, the modern metric centner is strictly 100 kg.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. The term is more likely encountered in historical texts or translations of European documents.
Connotations
Technical, historical, non-native (often a direct translation from German 'Zentner' or similar European units).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. 'Quintal' is marginally more common but still technical.
Grammar
How to Use “metric centner” in a Sentence
[Number] metric centners of [material, e.g., wheat, coal]a yield/production of [Number] metric centnersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metric centner” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The farm's potato harvest was recorded at over fifteen hundred metric centners.
- The old ledger listed shipments in metric centners, a unit no longer in common use.
American English
- The grain elevator was designed to handle loads priced per metric centner.
- Historical data on cotton yields was often reported in metric centners.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, might appear in historical commodity trading documents.
Academic
Used in historical studies of agriculture, trade, or metrology.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in specific European technical contexts or translations; largely superseded by SI units.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metric centner”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metric centner”
- Using 'centner' alone without 'metric', leading to ambiguity with the non-metric (often 50 kg or 100 lb) units.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈsɛnəʧər/ (like 'centure').
- Assuming it is a common, current unit in English-speaking countries.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a metric centner (100 kg) is equivalent to a metric quintal. 'Quintal' is the more internationally recognised term.
Because the imperial and US customary systems never used the centner unit. When metric units were adopted, the standard terms 'tonne' (1000 kg) and 'quintal' (100 kg) were preferred, or simply '100 kilograms'.
It is pronounced /ˈsɛntnər/, with the 't' and 'n' both heard. Think of 'cent' + 'ner'.
Not recommended. 'Centner' alone is ambiguous, as it historically referred to different weights (e.g., 100 pounds, 50 kg, or approx. 45.36 kg). 'Metric centner' specifies the 100 kg definition.
A unit of mass equal to 100 kilograms.
Metric centner is usually technical, industrial, agricultural, historical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CENTury + ceNTNER – a 'centner' relates to a hundred (like a century is 100 years); metric specifies it's 100 of the metric base (kilograms).
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS WEIGHT; STANDARDIZATION IS CONTROL (as a fixed, official measure).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the term 'metric centner'?