millennium

[ mi-len-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural mil·len·ni·ums, mil·len·ni·a [mi-, len, -ee-, uh].

1. a period of 1,000 years:

   This great stone monument has seen it all—hardship, plenty, and everything in between—over a millennium and a half.

2. the year 2000, or the turn of the 21st century:

   In 1995, approaching the millennium, the city covered nearly 67,000 acres and had a population of over 1 million.

3. the millennium, Christianity. the period of 1,000 years during which Christ will reign on earth, as an interpretation of a vision set forth by the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Also the Millennium.
4. a period of general righteousness and happiness, especially in the indefinite future.
5. a thousandth anniversary.

millennium

/ mɪˈlɛnɪəm /

noun

1. the millennium
   Christianity the period of a thousand years of Christ's awaited reign upon earth
2. a period or cycle of one thousand years
3. a time of peace and happiness, esp in the distant future
4. a thousandth anniversary

millennium

1. A period of a thousand years foretold in the Book of Revelation . During the millennium, those who have been faithful to Jesus and who have not worshiped the Antichrist will reign with Jesus over the Earth . According to the Book of Revelation, the millennium will precede the final battle for control of the universe; Judgment Day will come afterward.

Notes

Figuratively, a “millennium” is a period of great justice and happiness on Earth.

The meaning of the Bible 's (see also Bible ) words about the millennium has been much debated by Christians (see also Christian ). Prophecies about the millennium are part of the basic doctrine of several denominations, including Jehovah's Witnesses .

Derived Forms

• milˈlennialist, noun
• milˈlennial, adjective
• milˈlennially, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of millennium¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from New Latin, equivalent to Latin mill(e) “a thousand” + -ennium, extracted from biennium, triennium, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of millennium¹

C17: from New Latin, from Latin mille thousand + annus year; for form, compare quadrennium

Example Sentences

This research provides an unprecedented view into how European populations adapted to environmental challenges over millennia, helping us understand how certain traits have persisted, disappeared, or been altered over time.

From Science Daily

At 27, Jake Paul was young enough and athletic enough to see off a 58-year-old Mike Tyson who was well past his best before the turn of millennium, and maybe well before that.

From BBC

With a deluxe new remix courtesy of engineer Paul Hicks and Harrison’s son Dhani, "Living in the Material World" has finally been burnished for our new millennium.

From Salon

“The key message is that these landscapes are a consequence of very, very long-term management and use of cultural burning going back tens of millennia,” Haberle says.

From Science Magazine

On a computer screen, the dinosaur’s internal architecture is put back together for the first time in millennia.

From Los Angeles Times