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. Compare Roman mile.
5. a notable distance or margin: : mi, mi.

   missed the target by a mile.

mile

/ maɪl /

noun

1. Also calledstatute 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. miles
   (intensifier)

   he likes his new job miles better

mile

/ 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 mileSee 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

“It’s bombing out hundreds of miles west of the shoreline.”

From Los Angeles Times

The porousness of the border is apparent about 20 miles down the road, at the Kapitan Andreevo crossing, uniting Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey - the busiest such border in Europe.

From BBC

The men were more than 25 miles from the blaze but a combination of high winds and smoke was enough to foul the air.

From Los Angeles Times

Rural roads are defined by police as roads with a speed limit greater than 40 miles per hour that aren’t motorways and dual carriageways.

From BBC

The test concluded a little over an hour later after Starship fired up its engines again and completed a controlled ocean landing more than 3,000 miles away off the northwest coast of Australia.

From Los Angeles Times