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 of landmark

• 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

As both sides await a judge’s decision, the landmark ruling is already having effects beyond New Jersey. —Dan Slepian, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

The flood toppled landmarks, sank cars and buried churches and schools. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025

Enjoy a miniature model of Cincinnati's skyline and find classic trains and iconic landmarks from the Cincinnati Museum Center to the Roebling Bridge. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2025

Those travels took us everywhere from private islands in the Seychelles to rice paddies in Northern Thailand, from Gothic Revival landmarks in Belgium to barefoot Caribbean hideaways, alongside buzzy new openings in cities like Osaka and Edinburgh. —Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 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