ENGLISH
REFERENCE

touchdown

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtətʃˌdaʊn// UK //tˈʌtʃdaʊn// touch·down

n. the moment when an aircraft or spacecraft finally lands on the ground.

n. the moment at which an aircraft or spacecraft makes contact with the landing surface. Often used to mark the successful completion of a flight phase.


SIMPLE

The pilot announced a smooth touchdown in London.

CONTEXTUAL

Passengers began to applaud immediately after the touchdown on the rain-slicked runway.

COMPLEX

Mission control confirmed a successful touchdown on the lunar surface, marking the first time a private vessel had landed safely without human intervention.

Origin

From touch + down.

Usage

Both countable for specific landing events and uncountable when referring to the general phase of flight.

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