Mill: meaning, definitions and examples

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mill

 

[mษชl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

industrial

A building equipped with machinery for grinding grain into flour.

Synonyms

factory, plant, works.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mill

Mill is typically used for facilities where raw materials are ground. It is often associated with grain, such as a flour mill, or textile production.

  • The town's old flour mill has been converted into a museum.
  • She worked at the textile mill for over twenty years.
factory

Factory is a general term for a building or group of buildings where products are manufactured or assembled. It is commonly used regardless of the type of product being produced.

  • The car factory employs thousands of workers.
  • They built a new factory to increase production capacity.
plant

Plant is a term often used for industrial sites where large-scale operations take place, such as power plants, chemical plants, or manufacturing plants. It is typically used for larger facilities.

  • The steel plant is one of the largest employers in the region.
  • A new wastewater treatment plant is being constructed on the outskirts of the city.
works

Works is often used in the context of heavy industry or manufacturing, such as steelworks or ironworks. It can give an impression of a more traditional or large-scale industrial operation.

  • He got a job at the local ironworks.
  • The gun works produced thousands of rifles during the war.

Examples of usage

  • The old mill by the river has been converted into a tourist attraction.
  • The sound of the mill working could be heard from miles away.
Context #2 | Noun

measurement

A unit of money equal to one thousandth of a US dollar.

Synonyms

cent, coin, penny.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cent

Used to refer to a monetary unit that is one hundredth of a US dollar or a fraction of currency in many other countries.

  • A candy bar costs fifty cents.
  • Can you lend me twenty cents?
penny

A specific coin worth one cent, primarily used in the context of US currency and some other countries' currencies like the UK. It often carries connotations of being of very low value.

  • I picked up a penny off the ground.
  • He doesn't have a penny to his name.
coin

Refers to physical currency, typically made of metal, used in many countries around the world. It can be any denomination.

  • I found a rare coin in my attic.
  • You need some coins for the parking meter.

Examples of usage

  • He owed me five mills for the work I did.
  • The cost of the repair was just a few mills.
Context #3 | Verb

grinding

Grind or crush something into powder or small pieces.

Synonyms

crush, grind, pulverize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mill

Used when referring to the process of turning raw materials like grain into flour or other products through mechanical means, often in an industrial or agricultural setting.

  • They took the wheat to the mill to make flour.
  • The old mill by the river is now a popular tourist attraction.
grind

Commonly used when describing the process of breaking something into small particles or powder, particularly through friction. Often associated with food preparation or machinery.

  • He grinds his own coffee beans every morning.
  • The machine is used to grind grain into flour.
crush

Applicable when applying strong pressure to break or compress something into smaller pieces. This term is often used in everyday contexts and can also imply destruction or defeat.

  • She used a pestle to crush the garlic.
  • Their team managed to crush their opponents in the final match.
pulverize

Typically used in scientific or technical contexts to describe turning something into a fine powder or dust through extreme force. This word can also convey a more intense or violent action.

  • The lab technician needs to pulverize the sample before the analysis.
  • The asteroid impact was strong enough to pulverize the surrounding rocks.

Examples of usage

  • She milled the spices in a mortar and pestle.
  • The machine can mill up to 500 pounds of grain per hour.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'mill' comes from the Latin 'molina', which means 'to grind'.
  • Ancient Egyptians used grinding stones around 5000 BC to process grains, marking early milling practices.
  • Water-powered mills developed in the Middle Ages were crucial for increasing food production and supporting population growth.

Technology

  • Modern milling technology includes advanced machinery that can automatically sort and package products.
  • The advent of steam power in the 18th century greatly improved mill efficiency and productivity.
  • Numerous milling processes exist today, such as roller milling, producing finer flour for baking.

Cultural Impact

  • Mills have often been central to small towns and communities, serving as key economic hubs for local agriculture.
  • In folklore, mills are frequently depicted as mystical places where magical events occur, such as in fairy tales.
  • The phrase 'at the mill' often symbolizes hard work and laborious tasks, reflecting cultural attitudes towards work.

Economics

  • The milling industry has a significant economic impact, contributing to food security by processing staple crops.
  • In many regions, local mills support agriculture by providing essential services to farmers, enhancing rural economies.
  • Market trends affecting grain prices can significantly influence milling operations and their profitability.

Environment

  • Mills may contribute to environmental change; however, sustainable practices in milling reduce waste and energy use.
  • Grain mills can play a role in promoting local food systems by sourcing grains from nearby farms.
  • The recycling of byproducts from milling, like bran and germ, provides additional economic opportunities and reduces waste.

Translations

Translations of the word "mill" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น moinho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเค•เฅเค•เฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Mรผhle

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penggilingan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะปะธะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ mล‚yn

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฃฝ็ฒ‰ๆ‰€

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท moulin

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ molino

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท deฤŸirmen

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฉ์•—๊ฐ„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุทุญู†ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mlรฝn

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mlyn

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฃจๅŠ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mlin

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mylla

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดะธั–ั€ะผะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ˜แƒกแƒฅแƒ•แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™yirman

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ molino

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,545, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.