noun
centimeter, cm
A1
'cm' is the abbreviation for 'centimeter' (cm). In German the noun is der Zentimeter; gender: der cm; plural often invariable as 'cm' or explicitly die cm/die Zentimeter. Used as a measurement unit. Declension when written as abbreviation can appear unchanged; can also be pluralized as 'die cm' or 'die Zentimeter'.
Examples
Das Lineal ist 30 cm lang.
The ruler is 30 cm long.
Gib mir die Maße in cm.
Give me the measurements in centimetres.
Der Rahmen wurde 85 cm breit gefertigt, weil die Werkstatt die genauen Maße kannte.
The frame was made 85 cm wide because the workshop knew the exact measurements.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a ruler showing centimetre markings
letters 'C M' — think 'centimeter'
Remember 'der Zentimeter' — abbreviated 'cm' uses masculine gender (der)
Notes
Abbreviation for 'Zentimeter' which is masculine (der Zentimeter).