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

In 2025, Congress is closer than ever to passing landmark cannabis reform. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025

Since none of them had mentioned the key landmark, Taylor suspected the battle must have taken place even farther west in the English Channel, beyond the sight of land. —Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025

Best of the Danube (save up to $2,000): One of the most popular itineraries, this European river cruise takes you to iconic cities and landmarks including Budapest, Wachau Valley, Vienna, Salzburg, and more. —Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2025

Skyline Scaffold — founded by McCurdy; his wife, Linda; and her daughter Amy Johnson in 2005 — has enveloped landmark structures like the Golden 1 Center, Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, the state Capitol building, Sacramento International Airport and the California Natural Resources Building. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for landmark

• ballpark
• benchmark
• birthmark
• daymark
• earmark
• embark
• hallmark
• monarch
• postmark
• remark
• skylark
• tetrarch

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