Word
milestone
Phoneticsmile·stone, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmaɪɫˌstoʊn/
UK/mˈaɪlstəʊn/
Definitions
01important event
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. an important event or stage in the development of something, like a person's life or a project.
n. a significant stage or event in the development of something; often used metaphorically for personal, historical, or professional progress.
“Learning to walk is a major milestone in a baby's development.”
“The signing of the peace treaty represented a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.”
Synonyms
02to plan steps
C1 · Advanced Academic · Technical
v. to plan a project by breaking it into several big, important steps.
v. to schedule or structure a project according to a series of specific, measurable goals or stages.
“We need to milestone the software update to ensure we finish on time.”
“The project manager decided to milestone the development phase to provide the stakeholders with clear evidence of incremental progress.”
Usage
often used in project management contexts
Real-World Examples
“Whether you’ve secured your first-choice place, are exploring options through clearing, or are still deciding what’s right for you, this is an important milestone and you should be proud of what you’ve achieved.” “That long search reached a major milestone in 2023, when we identified an 84.1-meter-tall (276-foot-tall) Taiwania fir ( Taiwania cryptomerioides ).” Etymology
From mile + stone. Compare Dutch mijlsteen (“milestone”), German Low German Mielensteen (“milestone”), German Meilenstein (“milestone”), Swedish milsten (“milestone”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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