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

Founded in 2014, ATTN: produces short-form news and entertainment content aimed at Gen Z and millennial audiences, centered around social issues. —Tim Baysinger, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025

The viral moment, which was posted to the platform February 3 by the millennial mom under u/allavina, highlighted an issue that many parents are familiar with: navigating glaring errors in school papers. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Studies have shown that many millennials have allocated large chunks of their disposable income to travel and leisure activities rather than traditional markers of success like homeownership. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

In 2021, Indonesia authorities said that 85% of the country’s millennials had been exposed to extremism through social media. —Raquel Carvalho, TIME, 5 Feb. 2025

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