# cicero

/ˈsɪsɝˌoʊ/ (US) · /sˈaɪsɹəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cicero
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a specific size of text used in printing, mostly in Europe. It is equal to 12 points and is used to measure how wide or long a page is.

For teachers: a unit of typographic measure equal to 12 Didot points, approximately 4.511 millimetres. Predominantly used in continental European printing traditions, it serves as the standard for measuring line lengths and column widths.

## Examples

- The printer set the column width to twenty ciceros.
- Traditional European typographers often prefer the cicero over the pica when designing layouts for high-end art books.
- While the Anglo-American system relies on the pica, the cicero remains the historical benchmark for typographic dimensions across much of Europe, reflecting a distinct evolution in printing standards.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural when referring to specific measurements.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.