trillion

IPA/ˈtrɪljən/
KK[trˈɪljən]IPA/ˈtrɪljən/

trillion — number

1. the exact number represented by a one followed by twelve zeros — equal to a thou

1.numberB1
Definition

the exact number represented by a one followed by twelve zeros — equal to a thousand billion or a million million — used to state precise figures in finance, science, and government.

Example

The government announced a plan to spend two trillion dollars on new roads and schools.

two trillion + plural noun for a precise financial figure

Our galaxy contains roughly one trillion stars, but we can only see a small fraction.

one trillion + plural countable noun (stars)

Common collocations
  • trillion dollars
  • trillion yen
  • trillion stars
  • trillion kilometers
  • trillion tonnes
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

[number] + trillion + [plural noun]

a/one trillion + [plural noun]

Usage Note

In modern English (both US and UK), a trillion is 1,000,000,000,000. The older British trillion (10^18) is now considered obsolete. When the exact number matters, use the numeral form or scientific notation.

Common Mistakes

The UK national debt is over two billion pounds.' (when meaning trillion)
The UK national debt is over two trillion pounds.
'billion' is 10^9; 'trillion' is 10^12; the difference is enormous in large financial figures.
The old British trillion was 10^12.
The old British trillion was 10^18.
the historical British long-scale trillion used a different value; learners should use the modern short-scale value.

2. an extremely large but not exact quantity — used to exaggerate or emphasise that

2.numberB2
Definition

an extremely large but not exact quantity — used to exaggerate or emphasise that something is very great in number, frequency, or degree.

Example

I have a trillion things to do before the wedding next weekend.

hyperbolic use: a trillion + plural noun for exaggeration

Hamza told me a trillion times to bring an umbrella, but I forgot it anyway.

a trillion times — common hyperbolic phrase for 'very many times'

Common collocations
  • trillion times
  • trillion things
  • trillion reasons
  • trillion ways
Synonyms
  • countless

    less numerical, purely hyperbolic; suitable in both formal and informal contexts

  • zillion

    more informal and playful than 'trillion'

  • a million

    weaker exaggeration; very common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • tiny

    opposite of a large amount in hyperbolic contexts

Grammar Patterns

a trillion + [plural noun]

trillion + [plural noun]

Usage Note

Only used informally for exaggeration. In formal writing, avoid using 'trillion' to mean 'a very large amount' unless the actual number is around one trillion. For formal hyperbole, prefer 'a vast number of' or 'countless'.

Common Mistakes

The report states there are a trillion issues with the supply chain.' (in a formal document)
The report states there are countless issues with the supply chain.
formal contexts need precise or measured language, not hyperbolic 'trillion'.

trillion — noun

Word family

  • trillionth
    adjectiveC1
  • trillionth
    nounC1
  • trillionaire
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: number/2

Million, billion, and trillion form a scale of increasing magnitude in English, with trillion being the largest standard number word. When used hyperbolically (not as an exact figure), 'a million' is the weakest exaggeration and very common in everyday speech ('I've told you a million times'). 'A billion' is stronger but still frequent in modern hyperbole. 'A trillion' is the strongest of the three standard number words and conveys an almost absurdly large quantity. 'Countless' is a non-numerical alternative that works in both formal and informal registers — it focuses on the impossibility of counting rather than a specific scale. 'Zillion' is a playful invented word with no fixed value, used for comic exaggeration ('a zillion little pieces'). Choose 'trillion' when you want the hyperbolic force of a real, very large number; choose 'countless' for a more measured tone; choose 'zillion' for humorous emphasis.

million ↗billion ↗countless ↗zillion ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • in the trillions
  • number in the trillions

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

Trillion comes from French 'trillion', formed from 'tri-' (meaning three) and '-illion' (taken from 'million'). In the original long-scale system used in older British English, it meant a million to the power of three (1,000,000³ = 10¹⁸). In modern short-scale English, adopted first in the United States and later in British English, it means a thousand billion (10¹²) — following the pattern of 'bi-' (two) for billion (10⁹) and 'tri-' (three) for trillion.