nautical mile

noun

: any of various units of distance used for sea and air navigation based on the length of a minute of arc of a great circle of the earth and differing because the earth is not a perfect sphere: such as
a
: a British unit equal to 6080 feet (1853.2 meters)
b
: an international unit equal to exactly 1852 meters (6076.115 feet or 1.15 statute miles) used officially in the U.S. since July 1, 1954

Examples of nautical mile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
States are enabled to lease their own lands within three nautical miles, but anything beyond is up to federal law. Carly Dempsey, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025 Some the world’s least efficient ships, like the 2,500-passenger Disney Dream and 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic can emit more than 1,400kg of carbon dioxide per square nautical mile, according to 2023 data from the European Union. Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a coastal state is accorded sole access to natural resources within its EEZ, which extends 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from the coast. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Agents in patrol boats stopped the 32-foot Contender center console — with the name The Salesman’s Ship written on the back — about four nautical miles off Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano Beach. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for nautical mile 

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nautical mile was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near nautical mile

Cite this Entry

“Nautical mile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nautical%20mile. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

nautical mile

noun
: any of various units of distance used for sea and air navigation equal to about 6076 feet (1852 meters)

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