Milepost Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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milepost
[หmaษชlหpoสst ]
Definitions
navigation
A milepost is a marker along a road that indicates the distance in miles from a specific starting point.
Synonyms
mile marker, milestone.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| milepost |
Often used in the context of travel and transportation, especially along highways and roads to indicate distance.
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| mile marker |
Similar to 'milepost', this term is used to refer to a marker along a road that reveals the distance to or from a specific point.
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| milestone |
Used more figuratively to indicate significant events or achievements in life, history, or a project.
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Examples of usage
- The milepost showed that we were 50 miles away from our destination.
- According to the milepost, the next town is 10 miles ahead.
history
In ancient Rome, a milepost was a stone marker placed along roads to show the distance in miles to Rome.
Synonyms
mile marker, milestone.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| milepost |
Used primarily in transportation to refer to a specific point on a road or railway, typically showing the distance in miles from a starting point.
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| mile marker |
Commonly refers to signs placed along a highway or route to show the distance in miles from a specific location, often used in navigation and emergency situations.
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| milestone |
Used more metaphorically to denote significant events or achievements in life, projects, or any kind of progress. It can refer to both literal markers and figurative achievements.
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Examples of usage
- The mileposts along the Appian Way helped travelers navigate their way to Rome.
- The mileposts in ancient Rome were essential for communication and trade.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
History
- Mileposts were first used by the Romans to measure distances on their extensive road networks.
- In the United States, mileposts became standardized in the mid-19th century to aid travelers and postal delivery.
- They often featured not just distance but also directions to nearby towns or cities.
Cultural Significance
- Mileposts often appear in literature and films as symbols of progress or the journey of life.
- In some cultures, ceremonies are held at specific mileposts along important routes to mark significant life events.
Engineering
- Modern mileposts are often equipped with technology to track vehicle speeds and traffic patterns.
- In certain places, mile markers can also indicate the nearest exit or emergency assistance points.
Psychological Impact
- Seeing mileposts can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation during long journeys.
- In self-help practices, setting personal milestones is often compared to mileposts on the road to success.
Origin of 'milepost'
Main points about word origin
- The term combines 'mile,' an ancient measurement of distance, and 'post,' indicating a physical marker.
- The word has its roots in Middle English and was influenced by Latin and Old French terms.
The term 'milepost' originated in the 18th century and is a combination of the words 'mile' and 'post'. Mileposts have been used throughout history to help travelers navigate and track distances. In ancient times, mileposts were crucial for the efficient movement of people and goods along roads. Today, mileposts are still commonly used on highways and roads to provide distance information to drivers and aid in navigation.
See also: mile, mileage, milestone, milestones.