milestone

noun

mile·​stone ˈmī(-ə)l-ˌstōn 

1

: a stone serving as a milepost (see milepost sense 1)

2

: a significant point in development

Graduating from college was an important milestone in her life.

Illustration of milestone

• milestone 1

Synonyms of milestone

• climax
• landmark
• watershed
• corner

Examples of milestone in a Sentence

the new drug was regarded as a milestone in the treatment of heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

Hopefully there’s some better milestones further down the road. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Tom Holland and Destin Daniel Cretton which will be featured in the upcoming milestone comic Amazing Spider-Man #1000. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026

Grande is now on the same level as Elvis Presley, who likewise earned a milestone 25 massive singles on the Billboard Hot 100. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

The label also put out a compilation record earlier this year marking the milestone. — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for milestone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

milestone

noun

mile·​stone ˈmī(ə)l-ˌstōn 

1

: a milepost made of stone

2

: an important point in progress or development