Statute mile meaning

A statute mile is a unit of length defined by law for official usage in the United States.


Statute mile definitions

Word backwards etutats elim
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division stat-ute mile
Plural The plural of the word statute mile is statute miles.
Total letters 11
Vogais (4) a,u,e,i
Consonants (4) s,t,m,l

Statute Mile Overview

The statute mile is a unit of length commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is defined as 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards. The use of the term "statute mile" dates back to the British Weights and Measures Act of 1824, which established the mile as a precise unit of measure for both countries.

Origin and Definition

The statute mile originated from the Roman mile, which was based on the distance covered by 1,000 double steps. Over time, the Roman mile evolved into the statute mile, which is now widely used in the United States and the United Kingdom. This mile is defined as 8 furlongs or 1,760 yards, equaling 5,280 feet.

Usage in Today's World

The statute mile is used in various contexts, including measuring road distances, speed limits, and aviation. It is also commonly used in athletics to measure race distances such as marathons and track events. Despite the prevalence of the metric system in most countries, the statute mile continues to be used in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Main Differences Between Statute Mile and Nautical Mile

One important distinction to note is that the statute mile is a unit of length used for measuring land-based distances, while the nautical mile is used for maritime and aviation purposes. The nautical mile is based on the circumference of the earth and is equivalent to one minute of latitude. It is slightly longer than a statute mile, with 1 nautical mile being equal to 1.1508 statute miles.

In conclusion, the statute mile is a common unit of length used in the United States and the United Kingdom, defined as 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards. It has historical roots dating back to the Roman mile and continues to be widely used today in various fields.


Statute mile Examples

  1. The city is located approximately 50 statute miles away from the coast.
  2. The marathon route covers a total of 26.2 statute miles.
  3. The speed limit on this highway is 65 statute miles per hour.
  4. The plane traveled at an altitude of 30,000 feet or approximately 5.7 statute miles.
  5. The property is situated on 2.5 statute miles of waterfront.
  6. The hiking trail extends for 8 statute miles through the forest.
  7. The racetrack is 5 furlongs long, equivalent to 1 statute mile.
  8. The canal system in this city spans over 12 statute miles in total length.
  9. The new bridge will reduce the commute by 2 statute miles.
  10. The park is 3.1 statute miles in circumference, perfect for a morning run.


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  • Updated 23/06/2024 - 09:16:47