milling

American  

[mil-ing] / ˈmɪl ɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of subjecting something to the operation of a mill.

2. an act or process of producing plane or shaped surfaces with a milling machine.

3. Coining.

   1. an act or process of making a raised edge on a coin or the like.

   2. an act or process of making narrow, radial grooves on such a raised edge.

   3. a number of grooves so made.

4. Slang. a beating or thrashing.

---

milling British  

/ ˈmɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of grinding, cutting, pressing, or crushing in a mill

2. the vertical grooves or fluting on the edge of a coin, etc

3. (in W North America) a method of halting a stampede of cattle by turning the leaders in a wide arc until the herd turns in upon itself in a tightening spiral

---

Etymology

Origin of milling

1425–75; late Middle English. See mill ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He’s wearing the same navy jacket as the other agents milling about, but his rust-colored beard and wrinkled forehead are way too familiar.

From Literature

We haven’t even officially “opened” yet, and already there are people milling around.

From Literature

It was built by the community after the King "charged too much for milling" at Marford Mill, "he had a monopoly on grinding corn," said Brendan.

From BBC

The bighorn sheep that had run past them were milling around on the far side of the bald.

From Literature

Reto and Sandy Meroni, who have lived just outside the Swiss ski resort for years, stopped to take pictures while walking their dog among hundreds of World Economic Forum attendees milling outside.

From Barron's