A centimeter is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one-hundredth of a meter. It is commonly used to measure shorter distances, such as the height of a person or the dimensions of an object. The symbol for centimeter is cm. Centimeters are part of the International System of Units (SI), which is widely used around the world. For example, a standard ruler often has markings in centimeters, making it easy to measure items accurately. One centimeter is approximately equal to 0.39 inches, which helps in converting measurements between the metric and imperial systems.