trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtri(l)-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see Table of Numbers

2

: an indeterminately large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

ˈtri(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of trillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Republicans reached a handshake compromise deal to raise the debt ceiling in the reconciliation bill — addressing Trump’s concern by nullifying the threat of Democrats using it to extract concessions — while pairing it with trillions in spending cuts. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 25 Dec. 2024

Bridging the old with the new Overall, as trillions of dollars change hands, what does this mean for the world? —Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 22 Dec. 2024

And second, his plan to cut taxes is expected to reduce federal revenues by trillions of dollars, meaning government spending obligations already signed into law would have to be covered by more borrowing. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024

Trump has promised to enact massive tariffs on foreign products, vowed to reduce taxes by trillions and hopes to pursue a massive deportation campaign that could drastically reduce the number of workers and put upward pressure on prices as a result. —Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from tri- + -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

trillion

noun

tril·​lion ˈtril-yən 

1

: a number equal to 1,000 times one billion see number

2

: a very large number

a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

trillion adjective

trillionth

-yən(t)th 

adjective

trillionth noun