Mill
Last Updated: January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Definition of Mill
Noun
- A grinding apparatus for substances such as grains, seeds, etc. (Some are small and simple, and some are large and complex.)
"Pepper has a stronger flavor when it is ground straight from a mill."
- The building housing such a grinding apparatus; also, any similar building that houses a similarly material activity (such as weaving, fulling, dying, etc.); the place of business comprising such a building and its outbuildings and grounds.
"My great-grandfather worked in a mill. He filled the flour sacks and then carried and loaded them."
- A machine used for expelling the juice, sap, etc., from vegetable tissues by pressure, or by pressure in combination with a grinding, or cutting process; any similar apparatus that otherwise processes<!--for example, a [[fanning mill]] is a mill because it is an apparatus that you crank to process a material-->.
"a cider mill; a cane mill"
- A machine for grinding and polishing.
"a lapidary mill"
- A milling machine for machining of solid metal, wood, or plastic.
"Several machinists were busy operating the lathes, mills, and drill presses on the shop floor."
Verb
- To grind or otherwise process in a mill or other machine.
"to mill flour"
- To shape, polish, dress or finish using a machine.
- To engrave one or more grooves or a pattern around the edge of (a cylindrical object such as a coin).
- To move about in an aimless fashion.
"I didn't have much to do, so I just milled around the town looking at the shops."
- To cause to mill, or circle around.
"to mill cattle"
Noun
- One thousandth part. One thousandth of a US dollar, or one tenth of a cent.
"The U.S. has never minted a mill coin, but the Coinage Act of 1792 describes this and other subdivisions of the U.S. dollar."
- One thousandth of a US dollar, or one tenth of a cent.
"The U.S. has never minted a mill coin, but the Coinage Act of 1792 describes this and other subdivisions of the U.S. dollar."
- One thousandth part in millage rates of property tax.
"They predict that the rate will probably go up by several mills next year."
- Alternative form of mil (“one thousandth of an inch”).
"For this task, I prefer the plastic sheeting that is 10 mills thick."
- Clipping of millimeter.
"For this task, I prefer the plastic bars that are 10 mills in diameter."
Noun
- Alternative form of mil (“million”).