century Unit Converter

Definition of century unit

A century is a period of 100 consecutive years. The term commonly identifies a numbered span in chronology, such as the 21st century, although conventions differ: calendar centuries begin with year 1, so the first century ended in year 100.

History of century unit

The word century comes from the Latin centuria, meaning a group of one hundred, a term used in Roman organization. English adopted it through Old French during the Middle Ages. Centuries became a convenient framework for organizing historical events, especially as Christian and later European calendar systems spread. In the traditional Gregorian calendar, there is no year zero; consequently, the first century ran from 1 to 100, and the twentieth century from 1901 to 2000. Popular usage often rounds these boundaries differently, calling 2000 the start of a new century.

Applications of century unit

Centuries are used to label broad historical periods, compare cultural or technological change, and organize timelines. Examples include the Industrial Revolution’s nineteenth-century setting, twentieth-century world wars, and discussions of 21st-century technology. In everyday speech, “a century” can also mean any 100-year period, such as a centennial anniversary or a sports record lasting a century.

Complete list of century unit conversion