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

So just like that, the millennial marketing specialist with five years experience under his belt, got to work making a Deliveroo-style uniform, a list of his dream employers and a secret memo for inside the donut boxes. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 June 2025

In April, the Princess of Wales got back to her millennial roots by ditching baggy denim cuts in favor of brown skinny jeans during a visit to Scotland with Prince William. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 June 2025

Noun

In a new poll released on Tuesday from The Economist/YouGov, the president has a 36 percent approval rating among millennials. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

That’s particularly true for younger generations like Gen Z (52%) and millennials (46%). —Brit Morse, Fortune, 24 June 2025

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