mile

American  

[mahyl] / maɪl /

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.

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mile British  

/ 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

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   he likes his new job miles better

mile Scientific  

/ 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 mile See Table at measurement

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mile Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing mile

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

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Etymology

Origin of mile

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

Example Sentences

With the help of her family, Avril's dream came true and she travelled 3,400 miles to watch the vibrant procession on New Year's Day.

From BBC

Twenty miles up the coast I boarded a ferry and, after 25 minutes, rolled onto Raasay, a sliver of land about the size of Manhattan but with a population of fewer than 200 people.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company delivers long lengths of pipe on wheels, from 600 feet to one mile, depending on the width of the pipe.

From Barron's

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles and had an estimated intensity of VI on the modified Mercalli intensity scale, which signifies strong shaking.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you live in Minnesota, you’re not going to easily drive 200 or 300 miles.”

From The Wall Street Journal