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

For millennial and Gen Z workers aged 18 to 43, the process is so tedious that 32% would rather apply to a new job than select health insurance, according to a Justworks and Harris Poll survey. —Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

How will the Oscars handle the generational shift from millennial careerism to Gen-Z self-care? —Nate Jones, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2024

Noun

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, 16% of millennials believe people should plan their own funerals before the age of 40, while only 6% of people over 60 believe people should plan their own at all. —Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Boomers, thank the social-media-savvy Gen Z-ers and young millennials in your life for their service today! —Emma Specter, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024

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

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