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

The most important thing is that professionals get their feet wet with AI, the millennial founder advised. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Blazy, 42, who cannot resist injecting a mood-boosting millennial banger into his show music, was clearly having fun this season. — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

Quiet luxury, by invitation Fortune previously reported affluent Gen Z and millennials were prioritizing experiences, wellness, and identity over traditional luxury possessions. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Restaurant Dive’s coverage of National Restaurant Association research identifies Gen Z and millennials as key drivers of beverage-only restaurant occasions, pointing to drinks as a way to pull customers in and lift sales. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for millennial

• bicentennial
• biennial
• centennial
• decennial
• perennial
• quadrennial
• quinquennial
• triennial
• sesquicentennial

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