mile

noun \ ˈmī(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Examples: mile in a Sentence

Definition of mile

1 : any of various units of distance: such as

a : a unit equal to 5280 feet — see Weights and Measures 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.

Recent Examples of mile from the Web

The fire was reported shortly after 8 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the interstate near mile-marker 271.

— michael williams, OrlandoSentinel.com, "RV fire closes 2 lanes on northbound I-95 in Volusia County," 13 July 2018
The rural area near the California border is in Mosley’s district and more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of the state capital in Phoenix.

— Washington Post, "Arizona lawmaker apologizes after video shows 140 mph brag," 12 July 2018
The mile markers throughout the years watching the UIL One Act Play kids advance, the band and choir winning sweepstakes trophies in competition, and the improvements students are making every day brought him satisfaction.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "LHS principal accepts admin job in Pasadena ISD," 9 July 2018
Also Thursday morning, all lanes except the breakdown lane on the Massachusetts Turnpike near the 82 mile marker in Charlton are now open, State Police tweeted around 8:17 a.m.

— john r. ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Kenmore Square ramp reopened, State Police say," 5 July 2018
Turn right and follow SR 89 northeast past Watson Lake to Granite Garden Drive between mile markers 317 and 318.

— roger naylor, azcentral, "Kid-friendly hikes around Arizona: Hit the trail with your family this summer," 28 June 2018
The cities in the path of the storm included Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Lake Lotawana and Tarsney lakes, as well as Interstate 470, between mile markers 10 and 13.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Tornado warning issued for southeastern Kansas City," 26 June 2018
The crash took place near the 404 mile marker of I-75 when two southbound vehicles crashed after both drivers swerved to try to avoid a third vehicle, the release said.

— zachary hansen, ajc, "Acworth woman died, 2 others injured in Florida wreck," 26 June 2018
The turnoff to it and Kokee Lodge is just beyond mile marker 15 on the highway.

— jay jones, latimes.com, "Where to hike in Kauai to one of the wettest spots on the planet," 18 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

mile Synonyms

MILE Defined for English Language Learners

mile

noun

Definition of mile for English Language Learners

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

MILE Defined for Kids

mile

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).