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 series initiated production in April in Hornopirén, the northern gateway to Patagonia and home to millennial alerce tree forests. —John Hopewell, Variety, 27 May 2026

Baby Boomer empty nesters own nearly twice the share of American homes with three or more bedrooms — 28% — compared to millennial parents, who own 16%, according to a recent Redfin analysis of 2024 Census data. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 May 2026

Noun

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 74% of Gen Z and millennials report experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026

For example, more than 90% of millennials would switch brands to one associated with a cause, according to a study conducted by Cone Communications. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 28 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