landmark

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noun land·mark \ˈland-ˌmärk\

Definition of landmark

1 : an object (such as a stone or tree) that marks the boundary of land
2a : a conspicuous object on land that marks a localityb : 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

See landmark defined for English-language learners

See landmark defined for kids

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 of landmark from the Web

Sloss Furnaces, now a national historic landmark, operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace until 1971.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Everything you need to know about Sloss Fest", 6 July 2017
Obama's Clean Water Rule — also known as the Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS — sought to clarify which wetlands and small, isolate waterways get protected under the landmark 1972 environmental law, the Clean Water Act.

— ariel wittenberg, Science | AAAS, "Trump will try to sidestep science in rolling back clean water rule", 28 June 2017
Since the Supreme Court’s landmark Afroyim v. Rusk decision in 1967, American citizenship is generally irrevocable unless its bearer explicitly chooses to forsake it.

— matt ford, The Atlantic, "The Supreme Court Defends the Integrity of U.S. Citizenship", 22 June 2017
To be there was reason alone for Carr and his people to pull the trigger on a new contract-average landmark for players.

— albert breer, The MMQB, "Derek Carr’s Deal: Evolutionary, not Revolutionary", 22 June 2017
But before Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Coachella, there were two landmark fests right here in Southern California in 1982 and 1983: The US Festival (with US as a pronoun, not initials).

— julia st. pierre, Los Angeles Magazine, "It Was Spectacular, It Was Doomed: A Look Back (In Photos) at The US Festival", 21 June 2017
Through the program, guides ride on the trains, such as the Crescent which travels through Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans, and share information on the historical landmarks with passengers.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Reggie Tiller shaping Alabama's 2 new national parks", 21 June 2017
Try to include a recognizable landmark in the photo’s background.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "First-of-its-kind #EclipseStamps reveal second image when you touch it", 20 June 2017
An ice cream loving Westie, Oscarelli is noted for videos and photos that capture him near San Francisco landmarks.

— denis cuff, The Mercury News, "Dogs use internet to find fame, friends and treats", 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'landmark'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of landmark

before 12th century

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

LANDMARK Defined for English Language Learners

landmark

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noun

Definition of landmark for English Language Learners

: an object or structure on land that is easy to see and recognize
: a building or place that was important in history
: a very important event or achievement

LANDMARK Defined for Kids

landmark

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noun land·mark \ˈland-ˌmärk\

Definition of landmark for Students

1 : something (as a building, a large tree, or a statue) that is easy to see and can help a person find the way to a place near it
2 : a building of historical importance
3 : a very important event or achievement The case was a landmark in legal history.

Medical Dictionary

landmark

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noun land·mark \-ˌmärk\

Medical Definition of landmark

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

Law Dictionary

landmark

noun , often attrib land·mark

Legal Definition of landmark

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