# landfall

/ˈɫændˌfɔɫ/ (US) · /lˈændfɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/landfall
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

the moment when a ship or a storm finally reaches land after being over the ocean.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verb 'make' ('to make landfall').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.