millstone

noun

mill·​stone ˈmil-ˌstōn 

1

: either of two circular stones used for grinding something (such as grain)

2

a

: something that grinds or crushes

b

: a heavy burden

Examples of millstone in a Sentence

College loans can quickly become a millstone for students.

The scandal has become a political millstone.

The scandal has been a millstone around her neck.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anyway, he’s been speaking to Jack Lang about the millstone around his neck that was the £72million fee Arsenal paid for him in 2019. —Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

Now, with the Monaco millstone lifted, a refueled Leclerc can focus on getting to the top. —Jerome Pugmire, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024

The border has long seemed a political millstone for Democrats, a place where the party splinters on policy and the results are out of step with broad public opinion. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 28 Sep. 2024

Finally, Griffiths will need to address Resolution 2216, which has been a millstone around his predecessor’s neck. —Peter Salisbury, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

millstone

noun

mill·​stone -ˌstōn 

1

: either of two circular stones used for grinding a substance (as grain)

2

: a heavy burden