Search Dictionary
Definition of milestone
milestone
/ˈmaɪl.stoʊn/
mile · stone
Plural:milestones
milestone Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 5k
milestone Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A significant event or crucial stage in the development, progress, or history of a person, project, or society.
Example
"Graduating from university and securing her first job were major milestones in her adult life."
2
A stone or post set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place.
Example
"We passed an old, moss-covered milestone indicating we were only ten miles away from London."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for milestone• Rhymes for milestone
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the mid-18th century as a literal compound of 'mile' and 'stone', originally referring to physical stone markers placed alongside roads at intervals of one mile to indicate distances to various destinations. The figurative sense of a 'significant event' emerged in the mid-19th century.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Milestone. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/milestone