landmark ruling
LAND-mark ROO-ling
ˈlændmɑːrk ˈruːlɪŋListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
a judicial decision that significantly changes or clarifies the law, establishes an important new legal principle, or resolves a previously unsettled question in a way that profoundly shapes legal practice, institutional behaviour, or social conditions going forward; landmark rulings are distinguished from ordinary precedent by their historical significance and transformative impact — they reorient the legal landscape in ways that make them reference points for all subsequent legal development in their area; examples include Marbury v. Madison establishing judicial review, Roe v. Wade establishing abortion rights, Brown v. Board of Education ending school segregation, and Obergefell v. Hodges establishing same-sex marriage rights; in general usage a landmark ruling or decision is any consequential judgment by an authoritative body that settles a previously contested question and creates a new baseline for future action
Learn one new pronunciation a day
Get a word, name or idiom like “landmark ruling” in your inbox — daily or weekly, free. Unsubscribe any time.