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

• milestone
• climax
• 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

Each piece is layered with unexpected details – like mixtapes, Dungeons & Dragons dice, and Hawkins landmarks – that aim to transform the collection into covetable items that celebrate individuality and fandom, the footwear company said. —Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025

Prime Video has landed on some star power to narrate its upcoming King Charles III doc with Kate Winslet recruited for the landmark. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025

In more recent years, critics have reevaluated Freaks as a landmark film, one that humanizes its disabled characters and presents the non-disabled people who exploit them as the true monsters. —Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025

Like any Boise kid, William Goodman grew up knowing landmarks such as the rearing palomino above the Ranch Club in Garden City. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 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