mill
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a machine that crushes grain, seeds, or coffee beans into a powder.
n.a mechanical apparatus designed to reduce solid substances to powder or pulp through grinding, crushing, or cutting.
Simple“She put the peppercorns into the mill to grind them for the soup.”
In context“The traditional water-powered mill was restored to demonstrate how grain was processed before the advent of industrial electricity.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a large building where materials like cloth, paper, or steel are made.
n.a manufacturing plant or industrial facility specifically for processing raw materials such as textiles, timber, or metal.
Simple“Many people in the town worked at the local textile mill for decades.”
In context“The closure of the steel mill had a devastating impact on the regional economy, leading to widespread unemployment in the surrounding communities.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a place that produces things quickly and in large numbers, often with low quality.
n.an establishment that handles procedures or produces items routinely and indiscriminately, often used pejoratively.
Simple“The university was criticized for becoming a degree mill that cared only about money.”
In context“Critics argued that the studio had become a content mill, prioritising quantity over the artistic integrity of its productions.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.the small ridges or lines on the edge of a coin.
n.the raised or grooved surface produced by machining, particularly the serrated edge of a coin.
Simple“The mill on the edge of the coin helps people identify it by touch.”
In context“The precision of the mill on the newly minted currency was designed to deter counterfeiters from attempting to replicate the coins.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move around in a confused way within a large group of people.
v.to move about in a confused or aimless fashion, typically within a large group or crowd.
Simple“Hundreds of fans were milling around outside the stadium, waiting for the gates to open.”
In context“After the fire alarm sounded, confused employees began to mill about in the car park, unsure of where the designated assembly point was located.”
UsageUsually used with the particle 'about' or 'around'.
- 06 C1 Advanced
v.to crush something in a machine or to shape metal using a tool.
v.to grind, shape, or finish a material using a milling machine or cutter.
Simple“The technician had to mill the block of aluminum to the exact size.”
In context“The component was milled from a single piece of aerospace-grade titanium to ensure maximum structural durability under high pressure.”
“Screenshot of man who claims to be a sugar mill worker who walks barefoot on sugar.”
“Firefighters from services around the UK have come to help improvise how to get water to hard-to-reach places, using an old steel mill on the edge of town as a temporary headquarters.”