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

The club, which features North America’s first Endless Surf wave basin, is aimed at the millennial jet set and their families, who are more focused on wellness and adventure than sitting idly by the pool, cocktail in hand. —Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

But flash back to the 2000s, and Duff and Lyonne could have been as easily mistaken as Duff recently was for Lindsay Lohan, another millennial icon. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

That was compared with just 72 percent, 60 percent and 45 percent of millennials, Gen X and baby boomers respectively. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

For many millennials, Andrew Keegan is, of course, an unforgettable face. —Lindsay Kimble, People.com, 1 Dec. 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