What does centigramme mean?
A centigramme is a unit of mass in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a gram, or one ten-thousandth of a kilogram. It occupies an intermediate position among small metric weights, sitting between the decigram and the milligram, though it is used far less often than either. The spelling with '-gramme' is chiefly British; American English writes the same unit as 'centigram', and modern scientific writing tends to favour the shorter form everywhere. Centigrammes appear mainly in contexts demanding fine measurement, such as pharmacy, laboratory analysis, and precision weighing, where instruments are sensitive enough for such tiny quantities to matter. Because the prefix 'centi-' simply means 'one hundredth', the word is transparent once its components are understood: it belongs to the same family as centimetre and centilitre, formed from Latin 'centum' (hundred) combined with Greek-derived 'gramma' (a small weight). Though rarely heard in everyday speech, it remains a legitimate and precisely defined member of the metric system.
nounA unit of mass equal to one hundredth of a gram, or one ten-thousandth of a kilogram. The spelling 'centigramme' is the British variant; American usage prefers 'centigram'.
- A metric unit of mass equal to one hundredth of a gram.
"The pharmacist measured out a centigramme of the compound with meticulous care."
"The jeweller recorded the weight to the nearest centigramme."
"Laboratory scales can detect differences of less than a centigramme."
Regular plural; British spelling adds '-es' as with most nouns ending in a sibilant sound.
"The samples differed by only a few centigrammes."
A single centigramme is so light that it takes ten thousand of them just to make one kilogram.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of centigramme
The word combines 'centi-', from Latin 'centum' meaning 'hundred', with 'gramme', which derives from Greek 'gramma' denoting a small weight, via French 'gramme'. The '-gramme' spelling reflects French influence and became established in British English during the nineteenth century as the metric system spread, while American English adopted the simpler '-gram' form. Cognates include centimetre, centilitre, and kilogram, all built from the same combining elements.
Related word forms
How centigramme is actually used
Chiefly British spelling; in scientific and international contexts governed by SI conventions, 'centigram' (or more commonly 'milligram') is preferred. Like other -gramme spellings, this variant is declining in use.
Easily confused with centigramme
Centigram is the standard American spelling, while centigramme is the British spelling — they denote exactly the same unit of mass.