Etymologically
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landmark

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 15:53. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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.

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