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

The concert series and NYFW activation are part of True Religion’s playbook to strengthen its connection to culture and engage with both Gen Z and millennial audiences. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Critics trashed the movie, which also failed to make its money back at the box office, but the film found its audience gradually, eventually earning a place in repertory history as a Halloween comfort watch particularly beloved by millennial women. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

By contrast, the typical millennial started saving at 28, and the average Gen Zer at 22. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

In late summer, Gap launched a new suite of perfumes modelled off the brand’s beloved fragrances of the nineteen-nineties—Grass, Heaven, Dream, and Om—in no small part to appeal to wistful elder millennials who miss spritzing themselves at the mall. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 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