million

noun

mil·​lion ˈmi(l)-yən 

plural millions or million

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times 1,000 see Table of Numbers

2

: a very large number

millions of cars on the road

3

: the mass of common people

—used with the

million adjective

millionfold

ˈmi(l)-yən-ˌfōld 

adverb or adjective

millionth

ˈmi(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Synonyms of million

• people
• populace
• public
• crowd
• mass

Examples of million in a Sentence

intellectuals sneered that television was a medium clearly aimed at the millions

Recent Examples on the Web

Microdrama actors have become celebrities in their own right with millions of followers on social media platforms. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Scientists may have uncovered evidence of a colossal ancient cliff that stretched across much of North America and helped expose rocks now visible deep inside the Grand Canyon hundreds of millions of years before the modern canyon formed. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

For players in high tax states like California or New York, deferring that money to after their playing days are over can save them millions in taxes. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

For tens of millions of NFL fans and the 550 advertisers that tirelessly interrupt their game day viewing marathons, football season cannot get here soon enough. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English milioun, from Middle French milion, from Old Italian milione, augmentative of mille thousand, from Latin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing million

• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• never/not in a thousand/million/billion years
• one in a million
• thanks a bunch/lot/million
• thanks a million

Rhymes for million

• billion
• pillion
• trillion
• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermilion
• vermillion

Kids Definition

million

noun

mil·​lion ˈmil-yən 

plural millions or million

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times 1,000 see number

2

: a very great number

millions of mosquitoes

million adjective

millionth

-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun