square mile

[ skwair mahyl ]

noun

1. a unit of area measurement equal to a square measuring one mile on each side; equivalent to 2.59 square kilometers. : mi 2 , sq. mi.

Word History and Origins

Origin of square mile¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

The Rybinskoe Reservoir destroyed thousands of square miles of arable land for a relatively small amount of electricity—after upgrades, the hydropower station now produces 376 megawatts, less than a fifth of what America’s Hoover Dam puts out.

From MIT Technology Review

This year, ProPublica analyzed EPA data to find the estimated excess lifetime cancer risk for every quarter of a square mile in the country.

From ProPublica

The leading theory on what triggered it involves the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which stretched millions of square miles across North America.

From MIT Technology Review

Recent research in Nature showed the plan reduced deforestation by thousands of square miles.

From Popular-Science

There are 565 municipalities in the state, and some that contract with police unions are as small as 1 square mile.

From ProPublica

Detroit might have the makings of a nice 50 square mile city within its population.

From The Daily Beast

All of the Friday fires, which began after midnight, occurred within a two square mile radius.

From The Daily Beast

In addition to private luxury, the 1.2 square-mile-island is known for its eco-friendly operations.

From The Daily Beast

Crenshaw averages 10 people per square mile, and nearly a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line.

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

Density of population refers to the average number of people per square mile in a state.

From Project Gutenberg

Only a comparatively small portion has been excavated, but the city enclosed by the wall covered nearly one square mile.

From Project Gutenberg

Culpeper and Loudoun Counties have the greatest number of milk cows per square mile.

From Project Gutenberg

They number 132, and possess 150 sections, which gives an average of more than a square mile to each soul.

From Project Gutenberg