millennium

noun

mil·​len·​ni·​um mə-ˈle-nē-əm How to pronounce millennium (audio)
plural millennia mə-ˈle-nē-ə How to pronounce millennium (audio) or millenniums
1
a
: the thousand years mentioned in Revelation (see revelation sense 3) 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earth
b
: a period of great happiness or human perfection
2
a
: a period of 1000 years
especially : one reckoned from the beginning of the Christian era
at the start of the third millennium
b
: a 1000th anniversary or its celebration
In 2015 the city of Leipzig, Germany, celebrated its millennium.

Did you know?

Since in Latin mille means "thousand", a millennium lasts 1,000 years. Thus, we're living today at the beginning of the third millennium since the birth of Christ. But some religious sects, relying on a prophecy in the biblical Book of Revelation, speak of a coming millennium when Jesus will return to reign on earth for 1,000 years, evil will be banished, and all will live in peace and happiness. Members of these sects who keep themselves in a constant state of preparedness are called millenarians or millennialists.

Examples of millennium in a Sentence

The book describes the changes that have occurred in the landscape over many millennia. The year 2000 was celebrated as the beginning of the third millennium.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Food has been central to culture, community and social connections for millennia. Dawn Thilmany, The Conversation, 22 May 2025 That’s up from zero branches at the dawn of the new millennium. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025 On the other hand, Gaza, among the most impoverished areas of the Middle East, has been on the front lines of history for millennia, and has been caught in the crosshairs of the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict since its inception in 1948. Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 An increase in both the trading and the price of gold – which has been treasured for millennia – is a long-standing reaction to instability and fear in the economy. Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for millennium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin mille thousand + New Latin -ennium (as in biennium)

First Known Use

circa 1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of millennium was circa 1638

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Millennium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/millennium. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

millennium

noun
mil·​len·​ni·​um mə-ˈlen-ē-əm How to pronounce millennium (audio)
plural millennia
-ē-ə
or millenniums
1
a
: a period of 1000 years
b
: a 1000th anniversary or its celebration
2
: a period of great happiness
millennial
-ē-əl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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