mile

[ mahyl ]

noun

1. Also called statute mile. a unit of distance on land in English-speaking countries equal to 5,280 feet, or 1,760 yards (1.609 kilometers).
2. nautical mile.
3. international nautical mile.
4. any of various other units of distance or length at different periods and in different countries. Compare Roman mile.
5. a notable distance or margin: : mi, mi.

   missed the target by a mile.

mile

/ maɪl /

noun

1. Also calledstatute mile a unit of length used in the UK, the US, and certain other countries, equal to 1760 yards. 1 mile is equivalent to 1.609 34 kilometres
2. See nautical mile
   See nautical mile
3. See Swedish mile
   See Swedish mile
4. any of various units of length used at different times and places, esp the Roman mile, equivalent to 1620 yards
5. informal.
   often plural a great distance; great deal

   he missed by a mile

6. a race extending over a mile

adverb

1. miles
   miles (intensifier)

   he likes his new job miles better

mile

/ mīl /

1. A unit of length in the US Customary System, equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards (about 1.61 kilometers).
2. Also called statute mile
3. See nautical mileSee Table at measurement

Word History and Origins

Origin of mile¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English mīl, from Latin mīlle (passus); mīlle, mīlia (passuum) “a thousand (paces), thousands of paces”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mile¹

Old English mīl, from Latin mīlia ( passuum ) a thousand (paces)

Idioms and Phrases

• miss by a mile
• miss is as good as a mile
• stick out (like a mile)

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the number of miles driven nationwide decreased by 15 percent.

From Washington Post

An up-tempo playlist keeps me motivated and improves my pace by at least 15 seconds per mile.

From Outside Online

She particularly encouraged those who live within a mile and a half of their school buildings to consider walking to class.

From Washington Post

He runs like 100 miles, 150 miles, to bring awareness to different organizations he supports.

From Ozy

At 65 miles per hour, you’ll cover 100 yards in three seconds.

From Outside Online

Then she managed to struggle a mile through dark, rainy woods.

From The Daily Beast

Beyond the huge American flag that hung over the street, the mile-long mass of cops ended.

From The Daily Beast

Each one seems a mile high, and the entire flight an insurmountable obstacle.

From The Daily Beast

So I went home—we only lived about a quarter mile away—and I got on my bicycle and rode back, and he was in the donut shop.

From The Daily Beast

The incident occurred just one mile from the Garner incident.

From The Daily Beast

What need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?

From Project Gutenberg

General Santa Anna is within a mile of us with fifteen hundred men.

From Project Gutenberg

Nowhere can be found a region capable of supporting a larger population to the square mile than Lombardy.

From Project Gutenberg

They had proceeded a mile when Bruno came running back, showing by his manner he had news to impart.

From Project Gutenberg

The procession made its way slowly towards the river, three quarters of a mile to the east.

From Project Gutenberg