landmark

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlændmɑːk/ (UK); /ˈlændmɑɹk/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English londes mark, inherited from Old English landmearc (“boundary of an estate or country”),^[2] from land and mearc (“mark, boundary”) (see land and mark).^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The boundary of a country or estate, or an object set up to mark it: 982 in the OED;^[4] Merriam-Webster gives before the 12th century.^[3] The Century Dictionary lists boundary stones, marked trees and ditches.^[2]

Semantic evolution

A conspicuous object in the landscape that serves as a guide, especially one seen from the sea by sailors, is from the 1560s (1570 in the OED).^[2][4] Figuratively, an event or object that marks a stage of development or a turning point is from 1859,^[4][2] and the adjective use, historically significant, as in a landmark decision, from 1937.^[4] A building or site of historical importance is in modern dictionaries.^[5] The verb is from 1921.^[4]

Timeline

• 982 – a boundary.^[4]
• 1570 – a guiding feature of the landscape.^[4]
• 1859 – a turning point.^[4]
• 1937 – landmark (adjective).^[4]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A prominent or well-known feature of a landscape, used to find one's way.
2. An event, discovery or decision marking an important stage or turning point.
3. A building or site of historical importance.
4. A marker of a boundary.

Adjective

1. Of great importance or significance: a landmark ruling.

Related words

• land
• mark
• march
• benchmark

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin