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

Their calculations underpin trillions of dollars in insurance pricing, pension fund allocations, and investment decisions. —Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

The House narrowly OKs a budget plan for trillions of dollars in tax and spending cuts. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025

Republicans want to cut trillions of dollars in spending to pay for trillions in tax cuts, while increasing funding in some areas. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2025

Sharon Yeshaya Morgan Stanley CFO Today, the Wharton graduate leads a team of thousands managing the financial resources of a firm that holds over a trillion dollars on its balance sheet and manages trillions more for clients. —Alexandra Ferreyros, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trillion

• billion
• million
• pillion
• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• pavilion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermilion
• vermillion

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