milestone

noun

mile·​stone ˈmī(-ə)l-ˌstōn How to pronounce milestone (audio)
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

Illustration of milestone
  • milestone 1

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
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.
To mark the milestone, granddaughter Riley Keough shared an Instagram Stories tribute for Priscilla — the ex-wife of the late Elvis Presley. Nicholas Rice, People.com, 25 May 2025 This inclusion marks a significant milestone for both the company and the broader cryptocurrency industry. Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 This philosophical underpinning drives the company beyond mere resurrection spectacles — a critique often levied by academic skeptics following the company’s milestone de-extinction announcement. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 24 May 2025 More big stories In post-fire milestone, Pacific Coast Highway reopens, clearing a traffic bottleneck. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for milestone

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of milestone was in 1662

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Cite this Entry

“Milestone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milestone. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

milestone

noun
mile·​stone ˈmī(ə)l-ˌstōn How to pronounce milestone (audio)
1
: a milepost made of stone
2
: an important point in progress or development

More from Merriam-Webster on milestone

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