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Definition of millstone

millstone

/ˈmɪl.stoʊn/
mill · stone
Plural:millstones
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millstone Lexical Profile

millstone Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A heavy, inescapable burden or responsibility that severely impedes progress (often used in the phrase 'a millstone around one's neck').

Example

"The enormous debt from his failed business venture became a millstone around his neck for over a decade."

2

Either of a pair of large, flat, circular stones used in a mill for grinding grain into flour.

Example

"The historic watermill was restored, complete with a massive wooden wheel and a pair of heavy granite millstones."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

millipede
millisecond
millpond
millstone
millstream
millstream falls
millwheel

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English milneston, from Old English mylenstān, a compound of mylen (mill) and stān (stone).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Millstone. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/millstone
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