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

More powerful computers have allowed researchers to simulate huge blobs of matter containing trillions of atoms. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2024

All told, trillions of dollars are owed to builders, painters, real estate agents, small companies and banks around the country. —Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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