num
trillion
TRIHL-yuhn
num
1
A million million: 1 followed by twelve zeros (10¹²), the standard modern meaning.
"The national debt now exceeds a trillion dollars."
noun
1
An extremely large, often unspecified, number.
"There are a trillion reasons why that plan won't work."
How to Use Trillion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thousand billion — an enormous number, 1 followed by 12 zeros.
UK vs US
Older British usage sometimes defined a trillion as 10¹⁸, but the American 10¹² value is now standard worldwide.
Word Forms
trillions plural, trillions plural
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Etymology
From French tri- ("three") plus -illion, following the pattern of million and billion.