landmark

noun

land·​mark ˈland-ˌmärk How to pronounce landmark (audio)
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 For the animal-rights movement, even a consideration of this idea from a lower court would constitute a landmark case. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Completed in 1792, the landmark road stretches from the Holburne Museum in Sydney Park to the Laura Place Fountain. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 For many in Southern California, Disneyland sits somewhere between a landmark and a rite of passage, a place of familial and friendship rituals that stays with you long after the grand finale of the evening’s fireworks. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 President Joe Biden's visit to Milwaukee on Wednesday will include an overnight stay at The Pfister Hotel, a local landmark long sought out by U.S. presidents and other high-profile visitors. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Ho Lee Fook Ho Lee Fook, a Hong Kong culinary landmark, recently got a facelift, so gone is the dim lighting and slightly claustrophobic feel and in comes something lighter, brighter and a bit more roomy. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Lauren Goode: The Department of Motor Vehicles, a very important landmark. Michael Calore Lauren Goode, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024 Both love their hometown, pointing out landmarks like their local parish church (same as the senator Joseph McCarthy’s) and recounting local lore. Charles W. McFarlane, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 In December 2019, attorneys from a Washington, DC, law firm sued Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft, and Tesla for their involvement in the injuries or deaths of child miners in a landmark case. Amel Mukhtar, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'landmark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near landmark

Cite this Entry

“Landmark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landmark. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
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