trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtri(l)-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see Table of Numbers

2

: an indeterminately large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

ˈtri(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of trillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rain, drought, and trillions in losses El Niño tends to form every few years owing to weakening wind patterns over the Pacific Ocean, with conditions generally lasting up to a year. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 17 June 2026

Indeed, El Niño, a natural warming of Pacific Ocean water, can have a devastating impact on the world economy – to the tune of trillions of dollars around the globe – and the current pattern is likely to follow suit. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 13 June 2026

But even annual data center water usage measured in the trillions would represent a figurative (and kind of literal) drop in the bucket compared to national and worldwide water usage statistics. —Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

Musk’s controlling share of the corporation’s stock pushed his already astronomical net worth of around $800 billion into the trillions. —Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from tri- + -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trillion

• billion
• million
• pillion
• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermilion
• vermillion

Kids Definition

trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtril-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see number

2

: a very large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

-yən(t)th 

adjective

trillionth noun