millennium
Definitions
A period of one thousand years.
一千年；千年。
A thousandth anniversary, or the point marking it (e.g. the year 2000).
一千周年；千禧年（如公元 2000 年）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedmille (thousand) + enni (the -enn- form of annus, year) + -um = 'a thousand years.' Like centennial, it stacks a number root onto ann. Watch the spelling: two l's (mille) plus two n's (annus) = milLENNium. The Latin plural is millennia.
Root mille still carries 3 more wordsUsage Guide
Spelling: it has two l's and two n's — milLENNium — one of the most commonly misspelled English words. Plural: the standard form is the Latin millennia (over many millennia); 'millenniums' exists but sounds awkward. Don't confuse the noun with the adjective millennial (relating to a millennium, or a person born around 2000).
Example Sentences
- 1.
These traditions have survived for over a millennium.
- 2.
The whole world celebrated the new millennium in 2000.
- 3.
Programmers worried about the millennium bug at the year 2000.