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.

5. a notable distance or margin: mi, mi.

   missed the target by a mile.

mile

/ maɪl /

noun

1. Also called: statute 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

3. 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. (intensifier)

   he likes his new job miles better

mile

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 mile See 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

She and Shawwaf walked a mile to the hospital morgue to pay their respects.

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The Orionid meteor shower happens 60 miles up in space and is thought to be one of the most impressive displays of the celestial calendar.

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Tomahawk cruise missiles have a range of more than 1,000 miles and could reach targets deep into Russia and far beyond the capacity of Western munitions that have been provided to Kyiv so far.

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As the morning marine layer burned off it revealed miles of dreamy California coastline, with sand cliffs tumbling to the shore.

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The blaze emitted dangerous levels of nickel, cobalt and manganese that were measured within miles of the site.

Read more on Los Angeles Times