percent
1 of 3noun
per·cent pər-ˈsent 
1
US percent or chiefly British per cent plural percent
a
: one part in a hundred
We provided 100 percent [=100%] of the labor.
I spend about 50 percent of my workday in meetings.
b
: percentage
A large percent of their income is used to pay rent.
2
percents plural, British : securities bearing a specified rate of interest
We invested in 3 percents.
percent
2 of 3adjective
1
: reckoned on the basis of a whole divided into 100 parts
There was a 20 percent [=20%] increase in orders.
The manufacturer hopes to achieve a 10 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.
2
: paying interest at a specified percent
a 4 percent government bond
percent
3 of 3adverb
: in the hundred : of each hundred
The defendant was found 40 percent at fault.
I agreed with their suggestions one hundred percent.
Example Sentences
Noun The value has increased half a percent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Annie Burdick, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 Save up to 70 percent on the Splits59 summer collection during the three-day weekend. Bianca Rodriguez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Aether is offering up to 70 percent off its lightweight jackets, tees, leggings, sweaters and more through Aug. 15. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Aug. 2022 Don't miss savings of up to 70 percent off in-stock items during Pottery Barn's fantastic July 4th warehouse sale. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 28 June 2022 In Spain, where significant heat is more common than other parts of the continent, air conditioning usage is as high as one in three for residential homes across the country, and up to 70 percent in a city like Seville. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 Wayfair is offering up to 70 percent off its clearance items, including on its beach chairs and loungers. Josie Howell | Jhowell@al.com, al, 8 June 2022 Kate Spade's surprise sale — which features markdowns on popular handbags for up to 70 percent off. Lindsey Greenfeld, PEOPLE.com, 4 June 2022 On transatlantic voyages, meanwhile, the yacht can cruise in full-electric mode up to 70 percent of the time. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 June 2022 Doug Phillips, Sun-Sentinel.com, 27 Apr. 2017 See More
Noun
Grab a Hydro Flask Bottle for yourself at Amazon while some sizes and colors are up to 27 percent off. Annie Burdick, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 Save up to 70 percent on the Splits59 summer collection during the three-day weekend. Bianca Rodriguez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Aether is offering up to 70 percent off its lightweight jackets, tees, leggings, sweaters and more through Aug. 15. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Aug. 2022 Don't miss savings of up to 70 percent off in-stock items during Pottery Barn's fantastic July 4th warehouse sale. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 28 June 2022 In Spain, where significant heat is more common than other parts of the continent, air conditioning usage is as high as one in three for residential homes across the country, and up to 70 percent in a city like Seville. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 Wayfair is offering up to 70 percent off its clearance items, including on its beach chairs and loungers. Josie Howell | Jhowell@al.com, al, 8 June 2022 Kate Spade's surprise sale — which features markdowns on popular handbags for up to 70 percent off. Lindsey Greenfeld, PEOPLE.com, 4 June 2022 On transatlantic voyages, meanwhile, the yacht can cruise in full-electric mode up to 70 percent of the time. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 June 2022 Adjective
There is a 20 or so percent chance of isolated showers but nothing that will be a washout. Doug Phillips, Sun-Sentinel.com, 27 Apr. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Adverb
earlier per cent, from per + Latin centum hundred — more at hundred
First Known Use
Noun
1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Adjective
1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
1568, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing percent
Kids Definition
percent 1 of 2
adjective or adverb
per·cent pər-ˈsent
: out of every hundred : measured by the number of units as compared with one hundred a 15 percent raise My rent was raised 15 percent.
percent
2 of 2noun
plural percent
: a part or fraction of a whole expressed in hundredths Ten percent of the class failed the test.