Century vs. Decade — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
A century is a period of 100 years, while a decade spans 10 years.
Difference Between Century and Decade
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A century is a time span of one hundred years, recognized in the Gregorian calendar as a way to mark an extended period. The use of centuries allows historians to categorize events over longer periods, enabling a broad division of historical timelines. A decade, in contrast, is one-tenth of a century, encompassing only ten years. While a century can denote a significant era in history, a decade usually references a shorter, more immediate span of time, often used to discuss trends or changes over a relatively brief period.
The word "century" comes from the Latin "centuria" and is commonly used in historical and cultural contexts to denote periods such as the 18th or 19th century. The significance of a century lies in its capacity to encompass profound changes in society, technology, and politics. On the other hand, "decade" stems from the Greek "dekas," meaning a group of ten. While it might not capture the extensive transformation seen over a century, a decade is significant for studying more immediate, rapid shifts, particularly in the modern era where change is accelerated.
In terms of life span, reaching a century, often called a centennial, is a noteworthy milestone for an individual or institution, highlighting exceptional longevity. A decade, although less monumental than a century, is still significant, marking important phases in a person's life or the anniversary of events. Personal achievements are often measured in decades, such as ten-year reunions or anniversaries, which reflect on a concise but substantial duration of time.
While a century comprises ten decades, its cultural and historical weight is often greater than the sum of its parts. The turn of a century signifies a major transition and prompts reflection on a broad swath of human endeavor and progress. A decade, while it can signal shifts in trends, fashion, or politics, doesn't have the same gravitas or sense of closure and transition that a century brings. Each new century brings a sense of entering a new epoch, whereas decades signal the passage within it.
Regarding numeration, the 21st century began in the year 2001 and will end in 2100, reflecting the progress of a hundred-year cycle. Decades, such as the 2020s, are easier to delineate; they start with a year ending in 0 and conclude with a year ending in 9. Thus, the concept of a century and a decade are both crucial in marking time, but the scope and implications of each are distinctly different, with centuries defining long-standing historical phases and decades marking their subdivisions.
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Comparison Chart
Duration
100 years
10 years
Origin of Word
Latin "centuria"
Greek "dekas"
Historical Significance
Marks an era
Marks a short period
Numerical Representation
Ends in "00" (e.g., 1900-1999)
Ends in "0" (e.g., 1990-1999)
Common Usage
Refers to a long epoch
Refers to trends or shifts over a brief period
Compare with Definitions
Century
A century is a period of 100 consecutive years.
The 20th century was characterized by significant technological advancements.
Decade
"Decade" can symbolize a significant 10-year period in a person's life or history.
His first decade in New York shaped his career as an artist.
Century
In cricket, a century refers to a player scoring 100 runs in a single inning.
He celebrated his first century on the cricket field with a proud wave to the cheering crowd.
Decade
A decade is a sequence of 10 years.
The 1960s decade is famous for the hippie movement and the moon landing.
Century
Century can also indicate a group of 100 items or units in other contexts.
The farmer planted a century of apple trees across his orchard.
Decade
Decade can refer to any group or set of 10.
She arranged the roses in bunches of a decade each.
Century
In Roman legions, a century was a unit of soldiers originally composed of 100 men.
The Roman commander led his century with strategic prowess.
Decade
Informally, a decade may be used to describe a long, unspecified amount of time.
They've been friends for decades, sharing countless memories.
Century
A century is a period of 100 years. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages.
Decade
A decade is a period of 10 years. The word is derived (via French and Latin) from the Ancient Greek: δεκάς, romanized: dekas, which means a group of ten.
Century
A period of 100 years.
Decade
A period of ten years.
Century
Each of the successive periods of 100 years before or since the advent of the Christian era.
Decade
A group or series of ten.
Century
A unit of the Roman army originally consisting of 100 men.
Decade
A group, set, or series of ten , particularly:
A decade of soldiers
Century
One of the 193 electoral divisions of the Roman people.
Decade
A period of ten years , particularly such a period beginning with a year ending in 0 and ending with a year ending in 9.
The 1960s was a turbulent decade.
I haven’t seen my cousin in over a decade!
Century
A group of 100 things.
Decade
A period of ten days, (history) particularly those in the ancient Egyptian, Coptic, and French Revolutionary calendars.
Century
A period of 100 consecutive years; often specifically a numbered period with conventional start and end dates, e.g., the twentieth century, which stretches from (strictly) 1901 through 2000, or (informally) 1900 through 1999. The first century AD was from 1 to 100.
Decade
A work in ten parts or books, particularly such divisions of Livy's History of Rome.
Century
A unit in ancient Roman army, originally of 100 army soldiers as part of a cohort, later of more varied sizes (but typically containing 60 to 70 or 80) soldiers or other men (guards, police, firemen), commanded by a centurion.
Decade
(Roman Catholicism) A series of prayers counted on a rosary, typically consisting of an Our Father, followed by ten Hail Marys, and concluding with a Glory Be and sometimes the Fatima Prayer.
Century
A political division of ancient Rome, meeting in the Centuriate Assembly.
Decade
Any of the sets of ten sequential braille characters with predictable patterns.
Century
A hundred things of the same kind; a hundred.
Decade
(electronics) A set of ten electronic devices used to represent digits.
Century
(cricket) A hundred runs scored either by a single player in one innings, or by two players in a partnership.
Decade
(electronics) A set of resistors, capacitors, etc. connected so as to provide even increments between one and ten times a base electrical resistance.
Century
(snooker) A score of one hundred points.
That was his tenth professional century.
Decade
The interval between any two quantities having a ratio of 10 to 1.
There are decades between 1.8 and 18, between 25 and 250 and between 0.03 and 0.003.
Century
(sports) A race a hundred units (as meters, kilometres, miles) in length.
Decade
A group or division of ten; esp., a period of ten years; a decennium; as, a decade of years or days; a decade of soldiers; the second decade of Livy.
During this notable decade of years.
Century
A banknote in the denomination of one hundred dollars.
Decade
A period of 10 years
Century
A hundred; as, a century of sonnets; an aggregate of a hundred things.
And on it said a century of prayers.
Decade
The cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
Century
A period of a hundred years; as, this event took place over two centuries ago.
Decade
In the rosary, a decade represents 10 consecutive prayers.
She prayed a decade of Hail Marys every night.
Century
A division of the Roman people formed according to their property, for the purpose of voting for civil officers.
Century
100 years
Century
Ten 10s
Century
"Century" may be used figuratively to describe a very long time.
Waiting for the train felt like a century to the impatient traveler.
Common Curiosities
What does a decade represent?
A decade represents a span of 10 consecutive years.
When does the 21st century start and end?
The 21st century started in 2001 and will end in 2100.
What exactly does a century encompass?
A century encompasses 100 consecutive years.
Is the term "century" used in sports?
Yes, in cricket, scoring 100 runs is called a "century."
How are the decades within a century numbered?
Decades within a century are numbered sequentially, starting with the "0" year (e.g., 1990-1999).
Can "decade" refer to any period of 10 years?
Yes, any period of 10 years, sequential or not, can be called a decade.
What's the difference between the 20th century and the 1900s?
The 20th century refers to the years 1901-2000, while the 1900s denote 1900-1999.
Can "century" be used outside of a time context?
Yes, "century" can refer to a group of 100 items or a score in cricket.
How might one use "century" in a non-literal sense?
"Century" can be used hyperbolically to describe a very long period of time.
Does "decade" have a religious meaning?
In the context of the rosary, a decade refers to a set of 10 prayers.
Are anniversaries typically celebrated by the decade?
Yes, significant anniversaries are often celebrated every decade (e.g., 10th, 20th, 50th).
How do historians use the term "century"?
Historians use "century" to categorize significant time periods in history.
Are new decades always recognized by the change of the first three digits?
Yes, new decades begin with a change in the third digit (e.g., 1989 to 1990).
Is there a difference between "decades" and "the '60s" or "the '70s"?
No, "the '60s" refers to the decade of 1960-1969, and so on.
What was special about the turn of the 21st century?
It marked the beginning of a new millennium in addition to a new century.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
