landmark
Famous reference point
A landmark is a prominent feature of a landscape—a building, monument, or natural formation that helps people navigate or identify a location: The old lighthouse served as a landmark for sailors.
By extension, landmark describes significant events or achievements that mark turning points: a landmark decision, a landmark case, a landmark album.
The word suggests something that stands out from its surroundings, whether physically or historically.
Three-dimensional sculpted likeness
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- obeliskTapering stone monument
- mausoleumMonumental building for interment
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
column · shrine · edifice · cenotaph · plaque · tower · arch · pyramid
Navigation reference location
- reference pointStandard for comparison
- beaconGuiding light source
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
- seamarkCoastal navigation landmark
bearing · orientation · GPS · coordinates · signpost · guidepost · triangulation · wayfinding
Widely known, much recognized
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
- recognizableAble to be identified
- celebratedWidely known and praised
- distinguishedNotable and respected
prominent · must-see · tourist attraction · destination · postcard · skyline · symbol · signature
Inherited cultural legacy
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
- restorationReturning something to condition
relic · artifact · ancient · legacy · historic district · antiquity · conservation · listed building
Accomplished goal or deed
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- watershedDrainage area boundary
- defining momentCrucial event shaping outcome
pivotal moment · cornerstone · first · groundbreaking · precedent · game-changer · seminal · threshold
Line marking a limit
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- property lineLegal land boundary
- borderOuter edge or limit
- easementLimited land-use privilege
deed · parcel · cadastral · metes and bounds · boundary stone · title · plat · surveying
statue
Three-dimensional sculpted likeness
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- obeliskTapering stone monument
- mausoleumMonumental building for interment
sculpture · column · shrine · edifice · cenotaph · plaque · tower · arch · pyramid · sphinx
waypoint
Navigation reference location
- reference pointStandard for comparison
- beaconGuiding light source
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
seamark · bearing · orientation · GPS · coordinates · signpost · guidepost · triangulation · wayfinding · locator
famous
Widely known, much recognized
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
- recognizableAble to be identified
- celebratedWidely known and praised
distinguished · prominent · must-see · tourist attraction · destination · postcard · skyline · symbol · signature · quintessential
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
restoration · relic · artifact · ancient · legacy · historic district · antiquity · conservation · listed building · commemorative
achievement
Accomplished goal or deed
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- watershedDrainage area boundary
pivotal moment · defining moment · cornerstone · first · groundbreaking · precedent · game-changer · seminal · threshold
boundary
Line marking a limit
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- property lineLegal land boundary
- borderOuter edge or limit
easement · deed · parcel · cadastral · metes and bounds · boundary stone · title · plat · surveying · encroachment
- Citycity, town, downtown, midtown, suburb
- historyancient civilizations, past events, historian, epochs, era
- placescity, town, village, hamlet, building
- sightseeingtourist attraction, attractions, city tours, scenic overlook, walking tours
- Cultural Referencesmeme, catchphrase, movie quote, song lyric, famous line
- Historic DistrictsFrench Quarter, historic district, Latin Quarter, historic buildings, historic building
landmarktrivial
Lacking significance or weight
insignificant · unremarkable · run-of-the-mill · ordinary · minor
- historic landmarkProtected place of significance
- London landmarksNotable structures in England's capital
- Paris landmarksNotable structures in France's capital
- landmark decisionLegally significant court judgment
- natural landmarksNotable earth-made terrain features
- historical landmarkOfficially recognized place of significance