quintillion

noun

quin·​til·​lion kwin-ˈtil-yən 

US : a number equal to 1 followed by 18 zeros see Table of Numbers

also, British : a number equal to 1 followed by 30 zeros see Table of Numbers

quintillion adjective

quintillionth

kwin-ˈtil-yən(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of quintillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The algorithm could create as many as 52 quintillion permutations of the film. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

One over-the-counter container of Narcan contains molecules in the quintillions, a number requiring eighteen zeros, and each sailed into the nasal cavity like stones hurled at the night sky. —Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024

At room temperature, the crystal can remain stable for 300 quintillion years, according to Guinness World Records—more than 21 billion times the current age of the universe. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024

The 360 terabyte data crystal will remain stable at room temperature for 300 quintillion years—a lifespan that only drops down to 13.8 billion years (i.e., the universe’s current age) if heated to 374 degrees Fahrenheit. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin quintus + English -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

circa 1690, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

quintillion

noun

quin·​til·​lion kwin-ˈtil-yən 

US : a number equal to 1 followed by 18 zeros see number

also, British : a number equal to 1 followed by 30 zeros see number