Square Mile Definition & Meaning

Definition

Etymology

Examples

square mile American [skwair mahyl] / ˈskwɛər ˈmaɪl /

noun

1. a unit of area measurement equal to a square measuring one mile on each side; equivalent to 2.59 square kilometers. mi 2 , sq. mi.

Etymology

Origin of square mile

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At about 8 square miles, Kharg Island is roughly a third the size of Manhattan.

From The Wall Street Journal

But "never did we anticipate or expect them, I think, to be able to hold in their brains, which aren't much bigger than your thumb, information over thousands of square miles," he said.

From Barron's

Hektoria Glacier is relatively small by Antarctic standards, covering about 115 square miles, roughly the size of Philadelphia.

From Science Daily

Ukrainian forces were able to retake about 115 square miles almost overnight against Russian forces with diminished drone capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Zelensky said his military had retaken some 115 square miles of territory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.