touch·down
ˈtəch-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the act of touching a football to the ground behind an opponent's goal
specifically
: the act of scoring six points in American football by being lawfully in possession of the ball on, above, or behind an opponent's goal line when the ball is declared dead
2
: the act or moment of touching down (as with an airplane or spacecraft)
touched down; touching down; touches down
: to reach the ground : land
: to place (the ball in rugby) by hand on the ground on or over an opponent's goal line in scoring a try or behind one's own goal line as a defensive measure
Examples of touchdown in a Sentence
Noun
What was the plane's speed at touchdown?
Verb
the plane will touch down in about 30 minutes
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
Most of the vehicle's missions — which last 10 to 12 minutes from launch to capsule touchdown — have been uncrewed research flights.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in Germany on Friday.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touchdown
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Noun
The first-stage booster made its 10th flight and returned for a touchdown at Canaveral’s Landing Zone 1.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
Most of the vehicle's missions — which last 10 to 12 minutes from launch to capsule touchdown — have been uncrewed research flights.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Mexican director Michel Franco touches down at the Berlin Film Festival this weekend with drama Dreams starring Jessica Chastain, who is also an associate producer under the banner of her company Freckle Films.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in Germany on Friday.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touchdown
Cite this Entry
“Touchdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchdown. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
touchdown
1 of 2 noun
touch·down
ˈtəch-ˌdau̇n
1
: the act of touching a football to the ground behind an opponent's goal
2
: the act of scoring six points in American football by carrying the ball over the opponent's goal line
3
: the act or moment of touching down (as with an airplane or spacecraft)
touch down
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)təch-ˈdau̇n
: to reach the ground : land
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