touch down — the moment when an aircraft or spacecraft lands
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the moment when an aircraft or spacecraft lands
Pronunciation (IPA): /tʌtʃ daʊn/
Example Sentences
- The quarterback celebrated his touchdown by doing a silly dance that went viral.
- After 12 hours in the air, the touchdown felt like heaven.
- The space shuttle's touchdown was watched by millions on TV.
touch down
NOUN[/tʌtʃ daʊn/]
the moment when an aircraft or spacecraft lands
a commercial airplane descends toward the runway with its landing gear fully extended. The aircraft's wheels make contact with the asphalt as small puffs of smoke appear from the tires. The plane's nose gradually lowers as it settles completely onto the runway surface. Ground crew members with safety equipment watch from the sidelines, some pointing toward the aircraft. Airport vehicles wait nearby to guide the plane to its gate. the exact instant when an aircraft lands and settles on the ground
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Touch down is a compound of two English words: 'touch' (to make contact) and 'down' (downward direction). The phrase originated in early 20th-century aviation terminology to describe an aircraft making contact with the ground, and later expanded into American football vocabulary.
Breakdown
touch (to make contact) + down (downward direction) = to land or make contact with the ground. In football, the phrase denotes scoring by bringing the ball into the opponent's end zone.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The quarterback celebrated his touchdown by doing a silly dance that went viral.”
“After 12 hours in the air, the touchdown felt like heaven.”
“The space shuttle's touchdown was watched by millions on TV.”
“He dreams of scoring a touchdown, but he plays chess professionally.”
📚Related Words
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