Definition

A military officer in ancient Rome who commanded a group of about one hundred soldiers.

Example

The centurion led his troops bravely into battle.

Conversation

Did you know that a centurion was an important officer in the Roman army?

Really? I always thought they were just soldiers.

No, they actually commanded groups of about a hundred men!

That sounds fascinating! I should read more about Roman history.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Centurion → It is formed from "centum" (meaning one hundred) and the suffix "-ion" (indicating a state or condition). A centurion was originally a leader of a group of one hundred soldiers in the Roman army.

Memory Tip

Think of 'centum' meaning one hundred, which helps you remember that a centurion is a leader of a hundred soldiers.

Visually Confused Words