ScienceJuly 14, 2026

centibillionaire

/ˌsɛntɪˌbɪljənˈɛər/

Definition

An individual whose personal net worth is at least 100 billion units of a currency, typically US dollars.

Etymology

The word is a hybrid construction derived from the Latin 'centi-' (meaning 'hundred') combined with 'billionaire,' referring to someone who possesses a fortune of at least one hundred billion. It emerged in modern financial vernacular to describe the unprecedented rise of super-wealth among top tech magnates.

In the news

The article uses the term to highlight that the world's wealthiest individuals possess enough capital to single-handedly fund massive, multi-billion dollar scientific projects like space telescopes. It illustrates the immense disparity between private extreme wealth and standard government research budgets.

10 Philanthropic Funders Powering Space Science

Read the full article ↗

Inside Philanthropy

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