Century Meaning

UK /ˈsɛn.tʃər.i/
US /ˈsɛn.tʃʊr.i/
Word Definition
century meaning

Century Definition & Usage

noun

A period of 100 years.

Examples

  • "The 20th century witnessed major technological advancements."
  • "He was born in the 18th century."
  • "The museum exhibits artifacts from the early part of the 21st century."
  • "The 19th century was marked by the industrial revolution."
  • "We are living in the 21st century, a time of rapid digital change."
noun

In cricket, a score of 100 runs by a batsman in a single innings.

Examples

  • "He made a century in the second innings."
  • "The batsman celebrated his century with a standing ovation."
  • "She scored her first century in a national competition."
  • "The player was applauded for reaching a century in a crucial match."
  • "A century in cricket is a milestone for any player."
noun

A group or set of 100 items or people.

Examples

  • "The century club consists of members who have run 100 marathons."
  • "They achieved a century of sales in the first quarter."
  • "He reached a century of published works by the end of the year."
  • "The organization had a century of experience in the industry."
  • "The old library boasts a century's worth of historical texts."

Cultural Context

The term 'century' has its roots in Latin and has been used to describe time periods of 100 years since ancient times. In sports like cricket, it also refers to a player's score of 100 runs in one innings. The number 100 has a symbolic value across many cultures, often representing completeness or a full cycle.

The Century Celebration

Story

The Century Celebration

In the year 2040, Emma stood in front of a large, gleaming cake decorated with '100' candles. It was her grandmother's 100th birthday, a century of life filled with stories of resilience, laughter, and wisdom. As the family gathered around, Emma couldn't help but think about the significance of a century. It was more than just 100 years – it was a milestone that captured the essence of a life lived fully. Grandma had witnessed the entire 20th century, experiencing two World Wars, the moon landing, and the rise of the internet. Now, she was entering the 21st century with the same grace and strength that had carried her through the previous one. Later that afternoon, Emma decided to take a break from the festivities and watched a cricket match on TV. The local team was playing against their long-time rivals, and the star batsman was nearing a century. With the crowd roaring in the background, he hit the ball for a clean shot, reaching exactly 100 runs. The commentator cheered, "A century for Anderson! That’s a remarkable achievement!" As Emma reflected on both events, she realized how the concept of a century could mean different things in different contexts. For her grandmother, a century was a journey through time, but for the cricketer, it was a personal accomplishment – a goal that many players aspired to. Emma’s thoughts wandered back to her own life. She had just completed her first century of published books, a small but significant milestone in her writing career. As the evening wore on, Emma joined her family in singing 'Happy Birthday' to Grandma. She thought about how centuries, whether in time or in achievement, held powerful symbolism. Each one represented not just the passage of time, but the memories, experiences, and goals that defined it.

The Century Celebration