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

One of Sarah Michelle Gellar‘s favorite people just marked a major milestone. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2026

But the box office milestone wasn’t really the figure Theron had at the top of her mind. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

The milestone journey, which departed California on September 7, 2026, and arrived in North Carolina on September 14 before being officially announced on September 18, was far more than a technical showcase. — New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

Its rapid ascent is proved by revenues growing tenfold in the past five years and projected to hit the 450-million-euro milestone in 2026. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 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