Landmark Meaning
Landmark Definition & Usage
A prominent feature or structure that serves as a point of reference, often for navigation or identification.
Examples
- "The Eiffel Tower is one of Paris's most famous landmarks."
- "Our house is right next to the big oak tree, which is a local landmark."
- "The statue in the town square has become a landmark for tourists."
- "They used the mountain as a landmark to guide them through the forest."
- "The ancient ruins are a landmark of early civilization."
A significant event or turning point in history, culture, or personal development that marks a notable achievement or change.
Examples
- "The signing of the peace treaty was a landmark moment in world history."
- "Her breakthrough performance in the film was a landmark event in her career."
- "The invention of the internet was a landmark development in technology."
- "This policy reform is a landmark decision for the country's economic future."
- "The opening of the new art gallery is a landmark for the city’s cultural scene."
To mark or indicate a significant milestone or achievement.
Examples
- "The city has landmarked several historical buildings to preserve their legacy."
- "They landmarked the discovery as one of the most important in modern science."
- "The movie was landmarked by critics for its innovative use of technology."
- "The president landmarked the event with a speech about national unity."
- "The anniversary of the revolution was landmarked with ceremonies across the country."
Cultural Context
Landmarks, both physical and figurative, have been integral to human societies for centuries. Physical landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Statue of Liberty are symbols of human achievement and are often used as cultural touchstones. In the figurative sense, 'landmark' is used to describe transformative moments that have long-lasting impacts, whether in history, culture, or personal development. The word itself comes from Middle English, combining 'land' (meaning territory or area) and 'mark' (meaning a boundary or a sign).
A Journey Through Time and Place
Story
A Journey Through Time and Place
Lucy stood at the base of the towering structure, her eyes tracing the intricate carvings on its stone facade. This was no ordinary building—it was a landmark of her city, a symbol of resilience and pride. As a child, she had visited it countless times with her parents, always awed by its grandeur and the stories it held within its walls. Today, however, it was different. Today, it marked the beginning of her new life. Lucy had just completed her studies abroad, and the day she returned, her mother had asked her to meet at the landmark. 'It’s where we’ll celebrate,' her mother had said, smiling through tears. It was their family tradition—to mark moments of success and change in front of the towering structure that had watched over the city for generations. As she walked closer, she thought about the personal milestone this represented. Her return home was a turning point, a landmark in her own journey. It wasn’t just a physical structure—it was a symbol of continuity, of how her past and future intertwined. She remembered her grandmother telling her how the building had been a symbol of resilience through hard times, and now, for Lucy, it was a marker of new beginnings. Later that evening, Lucy’s friends gathered to celebrate. They stood under the lights of the landmark, its shadows stretching across the plaza. As the night sky deepened, Lucy couldn’t help but think of how many others had stood there before her, marking their own triumphs and transformations. It was a place of reflection and renewal, where time and history met in a single point. The next day, she stood before the landmark once again, but this time, she saw it through different eyes—eyes that now recognized the beauty of not just the structure, but the many lives it had witnessed over the years. It wasn’t just a building; it was a testament to the passage of time and the milestones that came with it. Lucy realized that while landmarks like this one were permanent, their meaning changed with every generation that passed through. And so, in that moment, she too became part of the landmark’s history, marking her own journey with a deep sense of gratitude and purpose.
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