million

noun

mil·​lion ˈmi(l)-yən 

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

ˈmi(l)-yən-ˌfōld 

adverb or adjective

millionth

ˈmi(l)-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Synonyms

• commoners
• commons
• crowd
• herd
• hoi polloi
• mass
• mob
• multitude
• people
• plebeians
• plebs
• populace
• public
• rank and file

Examples of million in a Sentence

intellectuals sneered that television was a medium clearly aimed at the millions

Recent Examples on the Web

This cutting-edge technological initiative is a milestone of Turkey’s fiscal strategy, digitally transforming fuel purchases across millions of vehicles to establish a transparent and traceable taxation system. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The intention behind the expansion was to close gaps in health insurance programs for the millions of Americans who don't get coverage through an employer. —Renuka Rayasam, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2025

Loading your audio article President Donald Trump has threatened to deport millions of immigrants living in the United States without legal permission. —Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025

Bird flu affects many species, including wild animals A global outbreak of H5 bird flu has infected millions of animals since 2020. —Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing million

• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• never/not in a thousand/million/billion years
• one in a million
• thanks a bunch/lot/million
• thanks a million

Kids Definition

million

noun

mil·​lion ˈmil-yən 

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

-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun