millstone

noun

mill·​stone ˈmil-ˌstōn 

1

: either of two circular stones used for grinding something (such as grain)

2

a

: something that grinds or crushes

b

: a heavy burden

Examples of millstone in a Sentence

College loans can quickly become a millstone for students.

The scandal has become a political millstone.

The scandal has been a millstone around her neck.

Recent Examples on the Web

Teachers, librarians, drag queens — all perceived as introducing dangerous ideas to children — are condemned to drowning with millstones around their necks, a la Matthew 18:6. —Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 13 July 2024

Early residents pried it out with wedges to make millstones. —Ellyn Gaydos, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024

The miller would have poured grain into a hopper, which would funnel the grain between millstones, slowly crushing it into flour. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024

One of them is recorded in the Domesday Book, which was written in 1086, and pieces of a Roman millstone have recently been found in the bed of the millstream. —Laura Euler For Dirt.com, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

millstone

noun

mill·​stone -ˌstōn 

1

: either of two circular stones used for grinding a substance (as grain)

2

: a heavy burden