Miller

The word “Miller” means a person whose job is running a mill, especially one that grinds grain into flour. In plain terms, someone who grinds grain, or a machine that does similar cutting work.

“Miller” is pronounced MIH-luh (/ˈmɪlɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “Miller” used in a sentence: “The miller weighed each sack of flour before loading the cart.”

“Miller” is a noun.

“Miller” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Miller” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose job is running a mill, especially one that grinds grain into flour.

A miller runs a mill, turning raw grain such as wheat into flour or meal. The work involves cleaning the grain, grinding it between millstones or through steel rollers, and sifting the result into different grades. Traditionally the miller was a vital village figure, since almost all bread began with their flour.

The two trades work in sequence. A miller grinds grain into flour, producing the raw ingredient. A baker then takes that flour and turns it into bread, cakes, and pastries. One supplies the flour; the other transforms it into finished food. Historically they were separate, often neighbouring, village craftsmen.

Like Smith, Baker, and Taylor, 'Miller' began as an occupational surname, a name taken from the work someone did. Because nearly every community needed a mill to make flour, millers were widespread, so the trade passed into family names across Britain, Germany (as Müller), and beyond. Today it is among the most common English surnames.