millennium
millennium — noun
1. a length of time equal to one thousand years, used especially when talking about
a length of time equal to one thousand years, used especially when talking about history, archaeology, or the distant past
The Great Pyramid of Giza has stood for nearly five millennia.
plural form 'millennia' for long time spans
Archaeologists uncovered pottery from a settlement that disappeared more than three millennia ago.
Dahlia traced her family tree back more than a millennium to a mountain village.
The temple ruins date back to the second millennium before the Common Era.
Forests in this region have remained largely unchanged for millennia.
- thousand years
the everyday equivalent; less formal and more literal than 'millennium'
- century
a period of 100 years, not 1,000; used where 'millennium' would be too large a unit
用法筆記
The plural form 'millennia' (from Latin) is the standard in academic and formal writing. 'Millenniums' is accepted in less formal contexts but is far less common.
常見錯誤
2. the year 2000 and the widespread celebrations, cultural changes, and preparation
the year 2000 and the widespread celebrations, cultural changes, and preparations that surrounded it, marking the end of the second millennium and the start of the third
Huge crowds gathered in London to welcome the millennium with fireworks and street parties.
welcome the millennium = celebrate the year 2000
The government spent billions fixing computers before the millennium to avoid the Y2K bug.
Christopher remembers watching the millennium countdown on television with his whole family.
Many people saw the millennium as a fresh start and made ambitious New Year's resolutions.
A time capsule was buried in the town square to mark the millennium.
- Y2K
informal abbreviation for the year 2000, often referring to the computer bug scare
- turn of the century
broader term; can refer to any century change, not specifically the year 2000
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'the' ('the millennium') to refer specifically to the year 2000 transition. The capitalised form 'Millennium' was common in media at the time but has since become less frequent.
常見錯誤
3. in Christian theology, a future thousand-year period when Christ is expected to
in Christian theology, a future thousand-year period when Christ is expected to rule the earth in peace and justice, based on a prophecy found in the Bible's final book
The pastor's sermon explored different views on the millennium found in the Book of Revelation.
the millennium in a religious/theological context
Some early Christian groups believed the millennium would begin within their own lifetimes.
Tamar wrote her theology paper on how Renaissance artists depicted the millennium in their paintings.
The book discusses prophecies about the millennium and the final judgment of humanity.
- Millennial Kingdom
a fuller term for the same concept, common in Protestant theology
- the thousand-year reign
descriptive alternative; less compact but more transparent
用法筆記
Typically used with 'the' and often capitalised ('the Millennium') in theological writing. Distinguish from sense 2 (YEAR 2000): this sense refers to a prophesied future reign, not a historical calendar event.
常見錯誤
4. a celebration or ceremony held to mark the date exactly one thousand years after
a celebration or ceremony held to mark the date exactly one thousand years after the founding of a city, institution, or other significant event
The city of Oxford is preparing for its millennium with a series of events in 2027.
city/institution + millennium = 1000th anniversary
A special postage stamp was issued for the town's millennium celebration.
The university plans a year-long programme of concerts and exhibitions for its millennium.
Henry helped organise the church's millennium festival, which drew visitors from across the region.
- thousandth anniversary
the literal equivalent; 'millennium' is shorter and preferred in formal contexts
用法筆記
Followed by a possessive noun or 'of' phrase ('the city's millennium', 'the millennium of the founding') to specify whose anniversary is being marked.