mile

noun

ˈmī(-ə)l 

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

—usually plural

was miles ahead of them in education

—sometimes used adverbially

This one is miles [=much, far] better than that one.

Phrases

a mile a minute

: with great speed

talking a mile a minute

Synonyms

• afar
• country mile
• far cry
• long haul

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 on the Web

The fun-loving Mama Shelter, with rooftop dining and a bowling arcade, will open its doors on the foodie mile of Bree Street, and in Camps Bay, guests can stay at a 92-key ocean-view Autograph Collection by Marriott. —Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2024

The tomb is located in Tell Umm-el Marra, an ancient city some 35 miles east of Aleppo. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024

The chase continued for several miles at high speed through heavy traffic. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

California wolves have shown up within 10 miles of Reno in the past, and the male-female pair in the Diamond Pack has also been known to travel near the Nevada state line. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mīl, from Latin milia miles, from milia passuum, literally, thousands of paces, from milia, plural of mille thousand

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing mile

• air mile
• country mile
• go the extra mile
• last mile
• mile high club
• nautical mile
• pound mile
• sea mile
• stand/stick out a mile
• statute mile
• three-mile limit

Kids Definition

mile

noun

ˈmī(ə)l 

1

: a unit of measure equal to 5280 feet (about 1609 meters)

called also statute mile

see measure

2

: nautical mile