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

See millennial vs Gen Z marketing trend examples Zaxby's also hopped on the trend, promoting its Cinco de Mayo deal on May 4. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Chick lit was high heels and martini olives and book covers accented with millennial pink’s tipsy older cousin. —Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 4 May 2026

Noun

The data suggested that for older millennials, specifically those between the ages of 35 and 44, rectal cancer mortality is projected to escalate through 2035. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

The millennial helped build it from the ground up before founding her own firm, Formation, in 2019. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 6 May 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