million

noun

mil·​lion ˈmi(l)-yən How to pronounce million (audio)
plural millions or million
1
: a number equal to 1,000 times 1,000 see Table of Numbers
2
: a very large number
millions of cars on the road
3
: the mass of common people
used with the
million adjective
millionfold adverb or adjective
millionth adjective or noun

Examples of million in a Sentence

intellectuals sneered that television was a medium clearly aimed at the millions
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Hartford and the Waterbury lines, which have received millions in state investments to upgrade infrastructure and service, have exceeded pre-pandemic ridership levels. Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 The bridge alone would cost millions of dollars and state funding for trail projects is already competitive. Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025 Many of the buildings were in significant disrepair and required millions and millions of dollars to renovate. Margot MacHol Bisnow, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 Happel declined to name the terms of the lease but said the Sager family, as well as the zoning of the Federal Theatre, has allowed his team to restore it to its former glory without having to spend tens of millions of dollars. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for million

Word History

Etymology

Middle English milioun, from Middle French milion, from Old Italian milione, augmentative of mille thousand, from Latin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of million was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Million.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/million. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

million

noun
mil·​lion ˈmil-yən How to pronounce million (audio)
plural millions or million
1
: a number equal to 1,000 times 1,000 see number
2
: a very great number
millions of mosquitoes
million adjective
millionth adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on million

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!