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

While 2025 began with high rates of citizenship applications submitted and decided, by the end of the year fewer immigrants were applying to become citizens — and even fewer were granted access to this final milestone, according to the data. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026

Nevertheless, many exhibitors are hopeful domestic ticket sales will reach $9 billion this year, a milestone the industry has aimed for since the pandemic. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

The theatrical release marks the latest milestone for a franchise that has seen a significant commercial and critical resurgence since its 2022 return. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

All of it culminated into one hell of a historic set, making the Colombian superstar the first Latina to headline the music festival, a major milestone in a career full of them. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 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