national monument

noun

1. a monument, as a historic site or geographical area, owned and maintained in the public interest by the federal government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of national monument¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Trump downsized monuments in the West during his first term, and some conservative groups are calling on Congress to abolish the Antiquities Act, the 1906 law that allows presidents to designate national monuments.

From Los Angeles Times

He called global warming a hoax, pulled out of the Paris climate agreement, shrank national monuments and appointed Environmental Protection Agency administrators who helped polluters at the expense of public health.

From Los Angeles Times

Under the Antiquities Act of 1906, a national monument can be created by presidential decree.

From Salon

Two Democratic presidents moved to preserve this rugged terrain by creating a pair of national monuments in southern Utah — Bears Ears and Grand Staircase- Escalante.

From Los Angeles Times

Hans was the first family member to arrive in the small amphitheatre at the heart of the MH17 national monument.

From BBC