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

Job-hopping isn’t a new practice, but it’s become more common in recent years — especially among Gen Z and millennial employees — due to a tight labor market. —Morgan Smith, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024

As job hopping becomes more common and less stigmatized, why do some hiring managers (and media outlets) still perpetuate the stereotype that millennial and Gen Z workers are disloyal to their organizations? —Emma Waldman, Harvard Business Review, 2 Sep. 2024

Noun

The Next Generation As wealth transfers to millennials and Gen Z, family offices are evolving to meet the demands of a new generation. —Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024

Much of her fanbase is young -- predominately millennials and Gen Z -- a demographic that consistently has lower voter turnout than older generations and whose members may have never voted. —Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 11 Sep. 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