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 data Experian provided to CNBC, 98% of Gen Z adults and 98% of millennials had a positive experience with the software. —Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024

And about 54% of Republican millennials are spending less on dining out and other discretionary purchases, versus 42% of Democratic millennials. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 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