milestone

noun

mile·​stone ˈmī(-ə)l-ˌstōn 

1

: a stone serving as a milepost (see milepost sense 1)

2

: a significant point in development

Graduating from college was an important milestone in her life.

Illustration of milestone

• milestone 1

Synonyms

• climacteric
• climax
• corner
• landmark
• milepost
• turning point
• watershed

Examples of milestone in a Sentence

the new drug was regarded as a milestone in the treatment of heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite Bitcoin recently reaching the $100,000 milestone, Google search activity remains surprisingly subdued. —Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

After serving a single term in the White House, Carter was the longest-living former president and the only one to reach the century milestone. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Dec. 2024

There were plenty of milestones to go around in the NHL on Sunday evening. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

And now James takes on the challenge of not just reaching the milestone but powering through it, living up to the high standards he’s set for himself over 22 seasons. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

milestone

noun

mile·​stone ˈmī(ə)l-ˌstōn 

1

: a milepost made of stone

2

: an important point in progress or development