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

After the flooding subsides, the county must decide whether to make repairs to the dam or possibly remove it — with both options costing millions of dollars. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 27 June 2024

Related Stories To expedite the millions of units produced annually for each brand, Hansae has 87 global employees dedicated to Gap Inc.’s business across its facilities, producing a range of apparel including knits, wovens and performance products for all ages and genders. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 27 June 2024

This is particularly relevant following the recent executive actions signed by President Joe Biden, which will allow millions of undocumented immigrants to obtain residency without leaving the country and limit the number of asylum cases processed at the southern border. —Silvia Solis, The Arizona Republic, 27 June 2024

To the southeast, snorkeling attracts millions of visitors annually to the cobalt and teal waters of Hanauma Bay, a nature preserve formed within a volcanic cone. —Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, 27 June 2024

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