Milestone Meaning
/ˈmaɪlˌstoʊn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA stone milepost (or by extension in other materials), one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road at regular intervals, typically at the side of the road or in a median.
nounAn important event in a person's life or career, in the history of a nation, in the life of some project, etc.
Sentence Examples
That day was an important milestone in our project.
It's an important milestone for her.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Graduating from college was a major ____ in her successful life.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Graduating from college was a significant ____ in her life, marking the successful completion of years of hard work and dedicated study.
Word Origin & History
From mile + stone. Compare Dutch mijlsteen (“milestone”), German Low German Mielensteen (“milestone”), German Meilenstein (“milestone”), Swedish milsten (“milestone”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Death is another milestone on their way."
— 1933, Stephen Spender, The Funeral:
"Creating a complete map of the human connectome would therefore be a monumental milestone but not the end of the journey to understanding how our brains work."
— 2012 March-April, Terrence J. Sejnowski, “Well-connected Brains”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 27 Apr 2017, page 171:
"She bought the model as a surprise gift for a friend who is a lifelong HST fan and railwayman, and who will soon be celebrating a milestone birthday."
— 2021 October 20, “Stop & Examine”, in RAIL, number 942, page 71:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Graduating from college was a major ____ in her successful life.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Graduating from college was a significant ____ in her life, marking the successful completion of years of hard work and dedicated study.