millimeter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Technical
Quick answer
What does “millimeter” mean?
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousandth of a meter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousandth of a meter.
A tiny unit of measurement used for precision in engineering, science, manufacturing, and everyday small-scale measurements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'millimetre' (with 're') vs. US 'millimeter' (with 'er'). Pronunciation differs slightly in the final syllable.
Connotations
Identical in meaning and technical connotation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in respective dialects within technical, scientific, and general contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “millimeter” in a Sentence
[Number] millimeter(s) [of something] (e.g., 5 millimeters of rain)[Adjective] millimeter (e.g., sub-millimeter precision)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “millimeter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The new sub-millimetre wave technology is promising.
- They achieved millimetre-perfect alignment.
American English
- The new sub-millimeter wave technology is promising.
- They achieved millimeter-perfect alignment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in specifications for manufacturing, e.g., 'The component must be machined to within 0.1 millimeter.'
Academic
Standard unit in scientific papers, engineering, and medical research, e.g., 'The tumor shrank by 3 millimeters.'
Everyday
Used in DIY, sewing, and describing small objects, e.g., 'The gap is about two millimeters wide.'
Technical
Fundamental unit in CAD drawings, meteorology (rainfall), and optics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “millimeter”
- Misspelling as 'milimeter' (one 'l'), confusing 'millimeter' with 'centimeter' in speech, using imperial fractions (e.g., 'an inch') when millimeters are required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily a noun. It can be used attributively as a noun adjunct (e.g., 'millimeter accuracy') or in compound adjectives (e.g., 'sub-millimeter').
'mm' is the standard international abbreviation for 'millimeter(s)'. They are used interchangeably, with 'mm' being more common in technical writing and diagrams.
In American English, it is typically pronounced /ˈmɪləˌmiːt̬ɚ/, with the primary stress on the first syllable and a secondary stress on the last syllable, which has a 'flapped t' or 'd' sound.
Millimeters are standard in all scientific fields, engineering, medicine, and manufacturing worldwide, except in some legacy US industrial contexts. In everyday life, countries using the metric system use millimeters for small, precise measurements (e.g., hardware, jewelry).
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousandth of a meter.
Millimeter is usually neutral to technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To the last millimeter (meaning: with extreme precision)”
- “Not a millimeter (meaning: not at all, not even a tiny amount)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MILLIpede's many tiny legs; a MILLImeter is a thousand tiny parts of a meter.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS SMALLNESS (e.g., 'We need millimeter accuracy').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the CORRECT American English spelling?