million

noun

mil·​lion ˈmi(l)-yən How to pronounce million (audio)
plural millions or million
Synonyms of millionnext
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 How to pronounce million (audio)
adverb or adjective
millionth
ˈmi(l)-yən(t)th How to pronounce million (audio)
adjective or noun

Synonyms of million

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Examples of million in a Sentence

intellectuals sneered that television was a medium clearly aimed at the millions
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During Lula's first two terms in office, from 2003 to 2010, Brazil's economy boomed, and millions of Brazilians rose out of poverty. — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026 In Southern California, rival ants warred at the borders of their massive supercolonies for years, with casualties soaring into the millions. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 At the Lakers’ training facility, the health system’s logo appears on the court and throughout the building, under a marketing partnership that cost the university tens of millions of dollars. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 My brother managed production programs for Honda and GAC, helping put millions of cars on the road. — New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for million

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of million was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing million

Rhymes for million

See All Rhymes for million

Browse Nearby Words

milling machine
million
millionaire
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Cite this Entry

“Million.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/million. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

million

noun
mil·​lion ˈmil-yən How to pronounce million (audio)
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 How to pronounce million (audio)
adjective or noun
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