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

Similar to vinyl records that saw a resurgence among millennial customers, DVDs are enjoying a comeback with some Gen Z buyers, even though the discs no longer drive significant studio profits. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Hersh said that The Real Housewives was the Gen-X version of reality, Summer House is the millennial version and Next Gen NYC is the Gen-Z version of the genre. —Peter White, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026

Noun

While Gyllenhaal’s aesthetic evoked Old Hollywood heroine with a refined bend around the face, Buckley’s choppy cut was closer to the quintessential millennial. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026

The trio of millennials has directed the Ballet National de Marseille since 2019. —Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 25 Feb. 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

• 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