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

After all, cell phone novels do provide a window into the millennial psyche (bored, online) during a couple of lost decades. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Pop is the most universally nostalgia era, followed by hip-hop among Gen Z and millennial consumers. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Noun

More broadly, spiraling mortgage and rent costs have hindered Gen Zers and younger millennials from forming independent households, researchers say. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Hordes of young millennials and older Gen Z fans flocked to Inglewood’s Kia Forum on Wednesday. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 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