landmark

noun

land·​mark ˈland-ˌmärk How to pronounce landmark (audio)
Synonyms of landmarknext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here's everything to know about the upcoming landmark 50th season of Survivor. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025 Israel and Egypt signed a landmark peace agreement in 1979, but the leaders of the countries have not met publicly in almost a decade. Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025 Philadelphia has almost 200 museums and national landmarks, in addition to more than 100 national parks, venues, and more, throughout the city. Essence, 17 Dec. 2025 Europe's ban on the sale of new diesel and gasoline cars and vans from 2035 was regarded as a landmark policy in the EU's flagship green deal when it was adopted in 2023. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for landmark

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of landmark was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Landmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landmark. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

landmark

noun
land·​mark ˈlan(d)-ˌmärk How to pronounce landmark (audio)
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 How to pronounce landmark (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on landmark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!