mileage

American  

[mahy-lij] / ˈmaɪ lɪdʒ /

Also milage

noun

1. the aggregate number of miles traveled over in a given time.

2. length, extent, or distance in miles.

3. the number of miles or the average distance that a vehicle can travel on a specified quantity of fuel.

   the car gets good mileage.

4. wear, use, advantage, or profit.

   She won't get much more mileage out of this old coat.

5. an allowance for traveling expenses at a fixed rate per mile.

   His mileage came to $90.

6. a fixed charge per mile, as for railroad transportation.

7. mileage ticket.

---

mileage British  

/ ˈmaɪlɪdʒ /

noun

1. a distance expressed in miles

2. the total number of miles that a motor vehicle has travelled

3. allowance for travelling expenses, esp as a fixed rate per mile

4. the number of miles a motor vehicle will travel on one gallon of fuel

5. informal use, benefit, or service provided by something

   this scheme has a lot of mileage left

6. informal grounds, substance, or weight

   some mileage in the objectors' arguments

---

Etymology

Origin of mileage

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; mile + -age

Example Sentences

Suddenly, smaller cars with higher gas mileage numbers were hot — and hard to find.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Retirees frequently maintain high mileage estimates, unnecessary collision coverage on aging vehicles or coverage limits that were designed for long daily commutes during working years.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

Another taxi driver, who gave the name Steve, claimed firms would purposely increase the mileage on trips by dispatching drivers to another distant town to carry out short journeys.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Lawmakers get mileage reimbursements, which can dwarf the $100, but not a per diem as in many states.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

“The godliness of humanity,” I said, getting a little more mileage out of the tiny trucker.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Related Words

• length