mile

play

noun \ˈmī(-ə)l\

Simple Definition of mile

: a unit of measurement equal to 5,280 feet (about 1,609 meters)
miles : a great distance
: a race that is a mile long

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of mile

1 : any of various units of distance: as a : a unit equal to 5280 feet — see weight table b : nautical mile
2 : a race of a mile
3 : a relatively great distance, degree, or interval —used chiefly adverbially in plural <was miles ahead of them in education>

a mile a minute

: with great speed <talking a mile a minute>

See mile defined for English-language learners

See mile defined for kids

Examples of mile in a sentence

We passed mile after mile of beautiful scenery as we drove through the country.
We traveled over miles of dirt road.
The car was traveling at 70 miles per hour.
We were miles from home.
We still have miles to go.
The beach stretched on for miles and miles.

Origin and Etymology of mile

Middle English, from Old English mīl, from Latin milia miles, from milia passuum, literally, thousands of paces, from milia, plural of mille thousand

First Known Use: before 12th century

MILE Defined for Kids

mile

play

noun \ˈmīl\

Definition of mile for Students

1 : a measure of distance (statute mile) equal to 5280 feet (1609 meters)
2 : a measure of distance (geographical mile or nautical mile) used in air and sea travel equal to about 6076 feet (1852 meters)

History for mile

In English we use the word mile for two different lengths. Though the ancient Roman mile was not the same as either of these, the English word mile comes from the Latin name for the Roman mile. This Latin word, milia, came from the phrase milia passuum, literally, “thousands of steps.” From the Latin word for “thousand,” mille, we also get the words mill (a thousandth of a dollar) and million (a thousand thousands).