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.
Prediction markets, even after the World Cup, are counted in the low millions. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 In exchange for allowing the above-ground line, Metro and the City of Los Angeles promised tens of millions for Crenshaw to build new sidewalks, trees, parks and storefront makeovers. — Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 Stewart, who earned millions for the final two films in The Twilight Saga, received only about $200,000 for On the Road. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026 Days after Nancy disappeared, several ransom notes were sent to local news outlets, with the first asking for millions of dollars in exchange for her safe return. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 31 July 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 4 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on million

Nglish: Translation of million for Spanish Speakers

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