CE
Abbreviation with 4 meanings
| Stands for | Common Era |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 4 |
| Categories | Religion, Science & Engineering, Technology & Computing, Military |
| Also written | Ce |
CE has four meanings. The most common are Common Era (religious term) and Cerium (chemical element); it can also stand for Community Edition and Construction Electrician.
Meanings of CE at a glance
| # | CE stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Common Era | Religion › Religious Term |
| 2 | Cerium | Science & Engineering › Chemical Element |
| 3 | Community Edition | Technology & Computing › Software |
| 4 | Construction Electrician | Military › US Navy and Coast Guard Rating |
1. Common Era
Religion · Religious Term Abbreviations · also used in measurement
Religiously neutral label for the same years as AD, used in academic, scientific, Jewish and interfaith writing, as in 2026 CE. It changes the name of the era but not the year numbers.
Example: The Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE.
CE follows the year, unlike traditional AD. The idea goes back centuries: "vulgar era" (from Latin aera vulgaris, meaning common era) appeared in the 1600s, and Jewish scholars used "Common Era" in the 19th century. Supporters value its neutrality, while critics note that the numbering is still based on Jesus' birth. Chicago and most academic publishers accept both systems if used consistently.
2. Cerium (Ce)
Science & Engineering · Chemical Element Abbreviations
The most abundant of the rare earth elements, cerium (element 58) is about as common in Earth's crust as copper. Cerium oxide polishes glass and lenses to a high finish and helps catalytic converters store oxygen. Ferrocerium, an iron-cerium alloy, throws hot sparks when scraped, which is why it forms the "flint" in lighters.
Example: Polish the telescope mirror with Ce oxide slurry on a pitch lap for the final finish.
Jöns Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger in Sweden, and Martin Heinrich Klaproth in Germany, independently discovered cerium in 1803. It was named after the dwarf planet Ceres, discovered two years earlier. Cerium is unusual among lanthanides in readily forming a +4 oxidation state, which makes cerium(IV) salts useful oxidizing agents.
3. Community Edition
Technology & Computing · Software Abbreviations
Free edition of a software product, often open source, offered alongside paid enterprise versions that add features and support. GitLab CE, Docker CE and the community editions of developer tools are common examples.
Example: We run GitLab CE on our own server and plan to buy the paid tier for audit features.
This "open-core" business model funds development by selling advanced capabilities, such as single sign-on, audit logs and high availability, in an enterprise edition (EE). Community editions may also be limited by user count or license terms. Outside software, CE means Common Era in dates and marks EU product conformity.
4. Construction Electrician
Military · US Navy and Coast Guard Rating Abbreviations
Seabees who install, operate and maintain power generation and distribution systems, interior wiring, telephone and communication lines at construction sites, expeditionary bases and disaster zones.
Example: CE1 Morgan's team restored power to the shelter after the earthquake.
Construction electricians frequently deploy for humanitarian assistance because they can set up emergency power quickly. Their skills overlap those of the shipboard electrician's mate (EM) but focus on construction and field power. In other fields, CE means Common Era or the European conformity mark on products.
Related abbreviations
More religious term abbreviations
- BHS – Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
- BSD – B'siyata Dishmaya (with the help of Heaven)
- CCC – Catechism of the Catholic Church
- CCD – Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
- CEB – Common English Bible
- CEV – Contemporary English Version
- COGIC – Church of God in Christ
- CSB – Christian Standard Bible
See all 78 religious term abbreviations →