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Glite Dictionary
land mile

land mile

2.0
A unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet used on land
  • noun
  • /lænd maɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : milla terrestre
  • One land mile equals 5,280 feet.

Examples

  • A land mile is equal to 1,760 yards.

  • The marathon spans just over twenty-six land miles through city streets.

  • A land mile is shorter than a nautical mile, which is used in maritime navigation.

  • The road sign indicated that the town was ten land miles away.

  • The marathon race is 26.2 miles, which is approximately 1.5 land miles longer than a standard marathon distance.

  • The hikers trekked for 10 land miles to reach the summit of the mountain.

  • The town is located just five land miles from the nearest highway.

Synonyms

mile
vsland mile
∞ 1.0

A measure of distance equal to 1,609 meters used for roads in the US and UK

is the more specific name used to set it apart from a nautical measurement
mi
vsland mile
4 1.0

A unit of distance equal to 1,609 meters

is the standard full term rather than the shortened written form
statute mile
vsland mile
  • Specialized
3.0

A unit of distance equal to 5,280 feet or 1,609 meters

is the common name used to contrast this measure with a nautical unit
international mile
vsland mile
  • Specialized
3.0

A unit of length equal to 1,609.344 meters used in the United States and the United Kingdom

is the term used especially to distinguish from the nautical measurement
stat mi
vsland mile
  • Specialized
5.3

A unit of length equal to 1,760 yards, about 1,609 meters

is the full name often used instead of its short written form

Surface Forms

land mile singular
land miles plural

Morphology

land + mile

The meaning is transparently built from 'land' (on the ground/as opposed to at sea) + 'mile' (a unit of distance), so it refers to a mile measured on land (i.e. the statute mile) and is distinct from a nautical mile. This compositional logic is straightforward and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Land mile simply means a mile for land travel, made to show it is not the longer sea mile used by sailors. The word 'mile' comes from an old idea of about a thousand steps, so the name helps you remember it is the regular unit for distance on land.