TRILLION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does trillion mean? 

• TRILLION (noun)
  The noun TRILLION has 3 senses:

1. a very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole)

2. the number that is represented as a one followed by 18 zeros

3. the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros

  Familiarity information: TRILLION used as a noun is uncommon.

• TRILLION (adjective)
  The adjective TRILLION has 2 senses:

1. one quintillion in Great Britain

2. one million million in the United States

  Familiarity information: TRILLION used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TRILLION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

bazillion; billion; gazillion; jillion; million; trillion; zillion

Context example:

there were millions of flies

Hypernyms ("trillion" is a kind of...):

large indefinite amount; large indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is above the average in size or magnitude)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The number that is represented as a one followed by 18 zeros

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

one million million million; trillion

Context example:

in England they call a quintillion a trillion

Hypernyms ("trillion" is a kind of...):

large integer (an integer equal to or greater than ten)

Domain region:

Deutschland; Federal Republic of Germany; FRG; Germany (a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990)

Britain; Great Britain; U.K.; UK; United Kingdom; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; 'Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

1000000000000; one million million; trillion

Context example:

in England they call a trillion a billion

Hypernyms ("trillion" is a kind of...):

large integer (an integer equal to or greater than ten)

Domain region:

France; French Republic (a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe)

America; the States; U.S.; U.S.A.; United States; United States of America; US; USA (North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776)

• TRILLION (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

One quintillion in Great Britain

Similar:

cardinal (being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order)

Domain region:

Britain; Great Britain; U.K.; UK; United Kingdom; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; 'Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom)

Sense 2

Meaning:

One million million in the United States

Similar:

cardinal (being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order)

Domain region:

America; the States; U.S.; U.S.A.; United States; United States of America; US; USA (North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776)

 Context examples 

It includes 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic.

(Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch Growing Rapidly, Study Finds, VOA)

At about 40 light-years (235 trillion miles) from Earth, the system of planets is relatively close to us, in the constellation Aquarius.

(Seven Earth-Size, Habitable-Zone Planets Found, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The human brain is estimated to include some 86 billion neurons (or nerve cells) and as many as 150 trillion synaptic connections, making it a powerful machine for processing and storing memories.

(Selective amnesia: how rats and humans are able to actively forget distracting memories, University of Cambridge)

The human body is host to trillions of microbes.

(Algal Virus Infects, Affects Humans, NIH)

The human microbiome—the name given to the trillions of microorganisms that live in and on our bodies—consists of beneficial and harmful microbes that include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and others.

(Human Body Microbes Make Antibiotics, Study Finds, NCCAM)

At about 40 light-years (235 trillion miles) from Earth, the system of planets is relatively close to us, in the constellation Aquarius.

(NASA Telescope Reveals Largest Batch of Earth-Size, Habitable-Zone Planets Around Single Star, NASA)

Earth could contain nearly 1 trillion species, with only one-thousandth of 1 percent now identified, according to the results of a new study.

(Researchers find that Earth may be home to 1 trillion species, NSF)

According to recent estimates, there are as many as 700 million trillion terrestrial planets in the observable universe.

(Scientists identify exoplanets where life could develop as it did on Earth, University of Cambridge)

Our digestive tracts are home to trillions of microbes—including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

(Infant gut microbes linked to allergy, asthma risk, NIH)

Estimated myeloma cell mass: 0.6 to 1.2 trillion (1012)/m2 (intermediate burden).

(DS Stage II Plasma Cell Myeloma, NCI Thesaurus/PDQ)