A cent, or centimeter, is a unit of measurement in the metric system. It is equal to one-hundredth of a meter, making it a small unit commonly used to measure length or distance. The symbol for centimeter is "cm." Centimeters are often used in everyday situations, such as measuring height, width, or depth of objects. For example, a standard piece of paper is typically 21 centimeters wide. This unit is also frequently used in fields like science, engineering, and health, where precise measurements are essential.