mill
mill — noun
1. A structure, usually a building, equipped with machinery that crushes grains lik
A structure, usually a building, equipped with machinery that crushes grains like wheat or corn into flour or meal.
The old mill beside the river still grinds wheat into flour for the local bakery.
collocation: old mill / grind wheat into flour
Farmers in this region bring their corn to the mill every autumn after the harvest.
Visitors can tour the historic mill and watch how grain is turned into flour.
The water mill uses the current of the stream to power its grinding stones.
A strong wind turned the blades of the windmill, starting the grind inside.
- grinder
less common for buildings; usually refers to the machine itself
- flour mill
specifies the type of mill; more precise
- watermill
a mill powered by water; a subtype
文法句型
a/the + mill + (for + noun)
用法筆記
Often appears in compound nouns like "water mill" and "windmill" that specify the power source. The building itself may or may not still be used for grinding grain; many historic mills now serve as museums or restaurants.
常見錯誤
2. A small handheld or countertop device that crushes solid substances such as coff
A small handheld or countertop device that crushes solid substances such as coffee beans, peppercorns, herbs, or spices into powder or small pieces.
Bilal used a pepper mill to grind fresh spices for the curry sauce.
collocation: pepper mill / grind fresh spices
The coffee mill in the kitchen can grind enough beans for eight cups at once.
compound: coffee mill
Ada emptied the spice mill and cleaned it before adding new cardamom seeds.
A small nut mill on the counter makes almond powder for the cake recipe.
Daniel bought a salt mill with a ceramic grinding mechanism that does not rust.
文法句型
a/the + mill + (for + noun)
用法筆記
Commonly specified by what it grinds: "pepper mill", "coffee mill", "salt mill", "spice mill". A kitchen mill is distinct from a mortar and pestle — it uses a mechanical or manual rotating mechanism instead of pounding.
常見錯誤
3. A large industrial building or complex where raw materials are processed or good
A large industrial building or complex where raw materials are processed or goods are manufactured on a big scale, especially steel, paper, textiles, or lumber.
The steel mill on the outskirts of the city employs over two thousand workers.
collocation: steel mill + employs workers
A paper mill near the river produces cardboard boxes for shipping companies.
collocation: paper mill + produces
Eli works at a lumber mill where logs are cut into planks and beams.
The cotton mill closed after a hundred years of weaving fabric for uniforms.
Emre's father got a job at a textile mill that makes denim for blue jeans.
文法句型
[material] + mill
用法筆記
Always appears with a preceding material or product word: "steel mill", "paper mill", "textile mill", "lumber mill". Without the modifier, a native speaker assumes the grain-grinding building sense. Distinguish from noun sense 1 — noun/1 is for food grains; noun/3 is for industrial materials.
常見錯誤
mill — verb
1. To crush a solid substance, such as grain, coffee beans, or spices, into small p
To crush a solid substance, such as grain, coffee beans, or spices, into small pieces or powder using a machine.
The farmer mills his own wheat to sell fresh flour at the local market.
mill + possession + direct object
Rafael milled the coffee beans until they were fine enough for espresso.
This machine can mill rice into a very fine powder for making rice noodles.
The spices were milled and then packed into small glass jars for sale.
Nikhil watched his grandmother mill the corn by hand using a stone grinder.
文法句型
mill + object
be milled + into + noun
用法筆記
Frequently passive when describing the state or destination of the substance ("The grain is milled into flour"). Object must be a dry, solid substance — verbs like "crush" or "grind" are preferred for wet or soft materials.
常見錯誤
2. To cut, shape, or mark metal — particularly coins or machine parts — by pressing
To cut, shape, or mark metal — particularly coins or machine parts — by pressing it against or passing it through a rotating cutting tool.
The factory mills a raised edge around each coin to prevent tampering.
mill + raised edge / around each coin
Christopher learned to mill metal engine parts during his apprenticeship.
The jeweller milled a delicate groove onto the surface of the silver bracelet.
Modern computer-controlled machines can mill complex shapes from steel blocks.
The aluminum sheets were milled to a precise thickness before assembly.
文法句型
mill + metal object
be milled + into + shape
用法筆記
Technical sense, common in manufacturing and engineering contexts. The passive form ("The part is milled to specification") is frequent in industrial writing. Not used for shaping wood or plastic, where "rout" or "cut" would apply.
常見錯誤
3. Of a crowd, group of people, or animals, to walk or move around slowly without a
Of a crowd, group of people, or animals, to walk or move around slowly without a clear direction or purpose, often while waiting or hesitating.
The crowd milled around the town square, waiting for the festival to begin.
pattern: crowd + mill around + location
Shoppers milled about the market stalls, browsing the fruit and crafts.
After the concert ended, fans milled outside the venue hoping for autographs.
The sheep milled nervously in the pen while the farmer fixed the gate.
Employees milled about the office kitchen during the morning break.
- stand still
no movement at all
- march
purposeful, directed movement
文法句型
mill + about/around + (place)
用法筆記
Almost always used with the adverb particles "about" or "around". The subject must be a group — you cannot say "He milled around" of an individual. The sense carries a tone of slight restlessness or confusion.