Word
landfall
Phoneticsland·fall, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫændˌfɔɫ/
UK/lˈændfɔːl/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the moment when a ship or a storm finally reaches land after being over the ocean.
n. the first sighting or arrival at land after a journey across the sea, or the point at which a tropical cyclone's centre moves over a coastline.
Examples
“The hurricane made landfall early this morning.”
“After three weeks at sea, the crew celebrated as they finally made landfall on the coast of Portugal.”
“Meteorologists predicted that the storm would make landfall as a category three hurricane, bringing significant storm surges to the low-lying coastal communities.”
Examples
simple
“The hurricane made landfall early this morning.”
contextual
“After three weeks at sea, the crew celebrated as they finally made landfall on the coast of Portugal.”
complex
“Meteorologists predicted that the storm would make landfall as a category three hurricane, bringing significant storm surges to the low-lying coastal communities.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verb 'make' ('to make landfall').
Real-World Examples
“Travelling north-west, it will pass very close to or even make landfall on the Northern Mariana Islands, where a warning is already in place.” “The storm is expected to either make landfall or pass close to the southern tip of Big Island on Saturday, before continuing west.” Etymology
From land + fall.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/landfall