Milestone Meaning and Definition
Milestone
Pronunciation
/ˈmaɪlstaɪn/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A significant event, achievement, or milestone marking a crucial point in a journey, project, or person’s life, often marked by celebration or recognition.
Examples
- The company reached a significant milestone with the launch of their new product.
- The athlete celebrated her 100th marathon as a milestone in her running career.
Synonyms
- Goal
- Target
- Landmark
Antonyms
- Barrier
- Setback
Etymology
The word “milestone” originated in the 15th century from Old English “mil gesteona”, meaning “fixed point or boundary”.
Usage Notes
Beyond its literal definition, “milestone” is often used figuratively to mark significant steps in a person’s life journey, such as graduation, marriage, or retirement.
Cultural References
Notable appearances of “milestone” in popular culture include in movies such as “Forrest Gump” and TV shows like “The Office”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Phrases like “reaching a milestone” or “achieving a milestone” are common and widely used.
Related Words or Phrases
Words like “goal”, “target”, and “landmark” share similar meanings with “milestone”.
Collocations
“Milestone” often appears in combinations like “reach a milestone”, “hit a milestone”, or “mark a milestone”.
Frequency of Use
“Milestone” is a commonly used word in modern language, especially in contexts related to personal and professional development.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “milestone” include “mileston”, “milestune”, and “mileestone”.