milestone
MYL-stohn
/ˈmaɪl.stoʊn/
A significant point or event in the development, growth, or history of a person, project, or organization.
Emphasizes a distinct, identifiable marker that divides one developmental stage from the next.
The story behind the word. Literally originated from heavy stone posts set along Roman roads to mark distances in miles. By the 19th century, writers began using it metaphorically for major events marking life's journeys.
Word relationships
- benchmark: A benchmark is a standard of comparison, whereas a milestone is an actual event or stage reached.
- setback: A setback represents movement backward away from progress.
Commonly confused with
- touchstone: A touchstone is a criterion for authenticity or quality, not a chronological marker of progress.
Word family
- milestones (noun): Plural form indicating multiple developmental markers.
Collocations
- developmental milestone
- key milestone
- reach a milestone
- major milestone
Idioms & expressions
- mark a milestone
Example sentences
- "Reaching for objects and producing first words are key developmental milestones in early infancy." Child developmental assessment
Memory hook
A stone placed along life's highway every time you walk another mile forward. A stone marker along the road of growth.
When not to use
Do not use for continuous, routine daily actions that lack major structural significance.
Fun facts
- The oldest surviving physical milestone is the Miliarium Aureum erected by Emperor Augustus in the Roman Forum.
Related words
Explore more words
timeline, landmark, watershed, breakthrough, incremental, make progress
Also appears in
- Leadership → Strategic Planning
- Business → Workplace Productivity
- Business → Project Management
- Business → Performance Evaluation
- Education & Pedagogy → Early Childhood Education
- Health Sciences → Pediatrics & Child Health
- Psychology → Child & Adolescent Development
- Home & Domestic Life → Parenting & Childcare
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Birthdays & Aging
- Romance, Dating & Marriage → Honeymoons & Anniversaries
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Baby Showers & Gender Reveals
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Retirement Celebrations
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