Mine: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to indicate possession or ownership, especially in a casual or personal conversation.

• That book is mine.
• Is this your hat? No, it's mine.

A large hole in the ground from which resources such as coal or minerals are extracted, often used for open-pit mining. Also refers to a hollow or depression in the ground.

• The gravel pit near the highway is being expanded.
• He fell into a deep pit while hiking.

A type of open-pit mine from which stone, rock, sand, or minerals are extracted, often used for construction materials.

• The marble for the statue was sourced from a local quarry.
• They visited an old limestone quarry that had been turned into a park.

A vertical or inclined passage from the surface to an underground mine, used for ventilation, transporting equipment, or accessing the mine.

• The miners descended the shaft to reach the lower levels of the mine.
• He looked down into the dark shaft with a flashlight.

Used in military contexts, it refers to an explosive device placed on or just under the ground. They are meant to damage enemy personnel or vehicles.

• The soldiers had to carefully navigate the field because it was full of land mines

A general term for any device designed to cause an explosion. It is used in formal or technical discussions about bombs, grenades, or other types of explosives.

• The police discovered a homemade explosive device in the suspect's apartment

Commonly refers to hidden or disguised explosive devices or mechanisms set to surprise and harm someone. Often used in guerrilla warfare or to protect areas illegally.

• The abandoned building was rigged with booby traps to deter intruders

Often used in the context of extracting minerals, metals, or other valuable materials from the earth, typically involving underground operations.

• They mine coal in this region.
• The company has started to mine for gold.

General term for removing something from a larger whole, often used in the context of removing natural resources, chemicals, or information.

• They extract oil from the ground.
• The dentist will extract the tooth.

Used when breaking up and moving soil or sand to create a hole or trench. Also used when searching for something in the ground.

• We need to dig a hole for the new tree.
• The dog loves to dig in the yard.

Mainly used in agricultural contexts to refer to the process of gathering mature crops from the fields or collecting other natural resources.

• Farmers will harvest the wheat in late summer.
• They harvest grapes for wine production.