trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtri(l)-yən 

1

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

2

: an indeterminately large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

ˈtri(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of trillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, some estimates put the price tag for the 836,330-square-mile island at hundreds of billions of dollars, if not trillions, as CNBC reported. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

As that continues, estimates suggest that the damage will total trillions of dollars. —Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026

The gut microbiome includes trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi whose balance is important for good health. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

Systems that normally process trillions of dollars’ worth of trades in commodities and futures markets for investors from London to Hong Kong were halted for 10 hours until the cooling system could be restored. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from tri- + -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trillion

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

Kids Definition

trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtril-yən 

1

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

2

: a very large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

-yən(t)th 

adjective

trillionth noun