Mile Definition, Examples & Common Usage

Meaning 1：unit of distance (mile)

mile 🔊

/maɪl/

A unit used to measure distance, mainly in the US and UK. It is a bit longer than a kilometer, about 1600 meters.

Green road sign showing distance in miles on a highway

unit of distance 🔊

➕

/ˈjuːnɪt əv ˈdɪstəns/

A standard unit of length used in the US and UK, equal to 1,760 yards or about 1.609 kilometers.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'mille' (thousand), originally 'mille passus' (thousand paces).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'mile' as 'my length' — a distance you might walk for a while.

📖 Example

My friend said the park is just two miles from our apartment, so we decided to walk there. 🔊 My friend said the park is just two miles from our apartment, so we decided to walk there.

🔗 Collocations

run a mile – To run a distance of one mile

walk for miles – To walk a long distance, often several miles

a mile away – At a distance of one mile from a reference point

🔄 Synonyms

kilometer (n.) – A metric unit of distance equal to 1,000 meters, approximately 0.621 miles.

league (n.) – A unit of distance roughly equal to three miles, historically used in navigation.

statute mile (n.) – The formal name for the mile used in land measurement in the US and UK.

🌱 Derivatives

mileage (n.) – The number of miles traveled or covered

milestone (n.) – A stone marker showing distance; also a significant event or achievement

miler (n.) – A person or animal that runs a mile race

📖 Cultural Story

The mile comes from Latin 'mille passus' (1,000 paces), a Roman unit. In 1593, England redefined it to 5,280 feet, becoming the modern statute mile.