millennial

1 of 2

adjective

mil·​len·​ni·​al mə-ˈle-nē-əl 

1

: of or relating to a millennium

This geopolitical specification of the millennium—this identification of the New Jerusalem with a particular place and people—was rare, even in a time of millennial fervor.

—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

2

: of, relating to , or belonging to the generation of people born in the 1980s or 1990s : of or relating to millennials

More than 60% of millennial voters support the birth control mandate.

—Katie McDonough

millennial

2 of 2

noun

: a person born in the 1980s or 1990s

—usually plural

Examples of millennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Practically overnight, Marin, who had been the youngest head of government in the world when she was elected, in 2019, became a millennial folk hero. —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

The festival, which honors America's quarter-millennial anniversary, is part of a travel showcase where themed riverboats from seven cities come to Greater Cincinnati, sharing the food and music from their home port. —Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Oct. 2025

Noun

Gen Zers are those aged 18 to 30, and millennials are those aged 31 to 45. —Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025

From watching millennials normalize egg freezing to period tracking and fertility care, for many, menopause feels like the next frontier in reproductive autonomy—and patches symbolize both relief and rebellion. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1991, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing millennial

• multi-millennial

Rhymes for millennial

• biennial
• centennial
• decennial
• perennial
• quadrennial
• quinquennial
• triennial
• bicentennial
• sesquicentennial

Kids Definition

millennial

1 of 2 adjective

mil·​len·​ni·​al mə-ˈle-nē-əl 

: of or relating to a millennium

millennial

2 of 2 noun

: a person born in the 1980s or 1990s

—usually used in plural