landmark

noun

land·​mark ˈland-ˌmärk 

1

: an object (such as a stone or tree) that marks the boundary of land

2

a

: a conspicuous object on land that marks a locality

b

: an anatomical structure used as a point of orientation in locating other structures

3

: an event or development that marks a turning point or a stage

4

: a structure (such as a building) of unusual historical and usually aesthetic interest

especially : one that is officially designated and set aside for preservation

Synonyms

• climacteric
• climax
• corner
• milepost
• milestone
• turning point
• watershed

Examples of landmark in a Sentence

The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous landmark in San Francisco.

The battlefield is a national historical landmark.

The moon landing is a landmark in space exploration.

The decision was a landmark in legal history.

Recent Examples on the Web

During the landmark event, guests also spent a considerable amount of time exploring The Vogue Innovation Lounge. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

In 1997, Shanghai Tang’s global expansion included the landmark opening of its flagship on Madison Avenue in New York. —Denni Hu, WWD, 1 Dec. 2024

Macron thanked more than 1,200 artisans at the cathedral for their tireless work in restoring the Gothic landmark, which is a World Heritage site and in the past has drawn more than 13 million visitors a year. —Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024

With a landmark moment in the history of the Catholic church in Baltimore about to take place, the members of five parishes set to be merged under the realignment plan known as Seek the City to Come were asked to think of a single word that best captures their emotions. —Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

landmark

noun

land·​mark ˈlan(d)-ˌmärk 

1

: an object that marks the boundary of land

2

a

: a usually large object on land that is easy to see and can help a person find the way to a place near it

b

: an important building or monument

historical landmarks

3

: an event that marks a turning point

Medical Definition

landmark

noun

land·​mark -ˌmärk 

1

: an anatomical structure used as a point of orientation in locating other structures (as in surgical procedures)

2

: a point on the body or skeleton from which anthropological measurements are taken

Legal Definition

landmark

noun

land·​mark

often attributive

1

: an object (as a stone or tree) that marks a boundary of land

2

: an event or development that marks a turning point or stage

a landmark decision

3

: a structure (as a building) of unusual historical or aesthetic interest

especially : one that is officially designated and set aside for preservation