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

November highlights on Paramount+ include the final season of Yellowjackets, a British millennial comedy series, and a chilling documentary. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

Baby boomers were the least likely to feel pressure to explain their eating habits and avoid social events because of it; Gen Z and millennial participants were the most likely to feel this pressure. — Anna L. Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Noun

In addition, a lot of department stores are in malls, and as millennials and Gen Z are doing more online shopping or buying second-hand, most malls are seeing declining foot traffic. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 28 Oct. 2026

Gen Zers are the most likely to anticipate borrowing (43%), followed by parents with children under 18 (40%), and millennials (35%). — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026

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

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