sextillion

noun

sex·​til·​lion seks-ˈtil-yən How to pronounce sextillion (audio)
often attributive
US : a number equal to 1 followed by 21 zeros see Table of Numbers
also, British : a number equal to 1 followed by 36 zeros see Table of Numbers

Examples of sextillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Or, to put it another way, 200 sextillion. — Brian Jackson, The Conversation, 20 Sep. 2021 Transmogrified Planets About half of Mercury’s mass—2 sextillion pounds or so—would be usable in the form of the elements oxygen and iron, Armstrong reckons. — Adam Hadhazy, Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French, irregular from sex- (from Latin sex) + -illion (as in million)

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sextillion was in 1690

Rhymes for sextillion

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Browse Nearby Words

sextile
sextillion
sexting
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Cite this Entry

“Sextillion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sextillion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

sextillion

noun
sex·​til·​lion sek-ˈstil-yən How to pronounce sextillion (audio)
US : a number equal to 1 followed by 21 zeros see number
also, British : a number equal to 1 followed by 36 zeros see number
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