¹cent

noun \ˈsent\

: a unit of money that is equal to 1/100 of the basic unit of money in many countries : one percent of a dollar, euro, rupee, etc.

Full Definition of CENT

: a monetary unit equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ of a basic unit of value — see birr, dollar, euro, leone, lilangeni, nakfa, rand, rupee, shilling at money table

: a coin, token, or note representing one cent

: the fen of the People's Republic of China

See cent defined for English-language learners

See cent defined for kids

Origin of CENT

French, hundred, from Latin centum — more at hundred

First Known Use: 1782

Rhymes with CENT

bent, Brent, dent, gent, Ghent, hent, Lent, pent, rent, scent, sent, spent, sprent, stent, tent, Trent, vent

²cent

abbreviation

Definition of CENT

centigrade

central

centum

century

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

Cent

abbreviation

Definition of CENT

Central

CENT Defined for Kids

cent

noun \ˈsent\

Definition of CENT for Kids

: a hundredth part of the unit of the money system in a number of different countries <In the United States 100 cents equal one dollar.>

: a coin, token, or note representing one cent

Word Root of CENT

The Latin word centum, meaning “hundred,” gives us the root cent. Words from the Latin centum have something to do with the number 100. A dollar is made up of 100 cents. A century is a period of 100 years. A percent is the portion of something out of 100 parts.