milli-

1. a combining form meaning “thousand” (millipede ): in the metric system, used in the names of units equal to one thousandth of the given base unit (millimeter ).

milli-

prefix

1. m. denoting 10 ^–3

   millimetre

milli–

1. A prefix that means “one thousandth,” as in millimeter, one thousandth of a meter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of milli-¹

< French < Latin, combining form of mille thousand

Word History and Origins

Origin of milli-¹

from French, from Latin mille thousand, this meaning being maintained in words borrowed from Latin ( millipede )

Example Sentences

Ice Boonyiamtanad flew to Head in the Clouds from Boston with her boyfriend to catch MILLI’s set Sunday evening at the 88rising main stage.

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“To this day I don’t think I’ve met anyone like her,” he says of MILLI.

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Over the past few years MILLI’s rise has been marked by hit collaborations with other global stars.

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Adebayo appeared on series two alongside TikTok star Milli Jo McLoughlin, podcaster Mandi Vakili and rapper DDG, as well as former Manchester United and France footballer Patrice Evra.

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Before they became an international punchline, Milli Vanilli was one of the biggest pop acts of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

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When To Use

What does milli- mean?

Milli- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “thousand.” In names of units of measure, particularly in the metric system, milli- means "one thousandth." It is often used in scientific and technical terms.Milli- comes from the Latin mille, meaning “thousand.” The Greek translation of mille is chī́lioi, “a thousand,” which is the source of English terms such as kilogram and kilometer. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.