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touch down

A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

When a plane lands, its wheels touch the ground — that moment is called touching down.

Literal meaning: To make physical contact with the ground by moving downward.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

(Aviation) Of an aircraft or spacecraft, to make contact with the ground and land.

"The plane touched down at Heathrow twenty minutes ahead of schedule."

"The Eagle has landed. Tranquillity Base here — the Eagle has landed."

— Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 moon landing, NASA transmission, July 1969
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

(American football) To score a touchdown by carrying the ball across or into the opponent's end zone.

"The running back touched down in the final seconds to win the game."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

In aviation, 'touch down' refers specifically to the moment an aircraft's wheels meet the runway. Also used in American football when a player carries the ball across the goal line to score. The noun form 'touchdown' is written as one word. Both uses are very well known.

Commonly used with

aircraft plane runway ball pilot helicopter

Forms

Base
touch down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
touches down
he/she/it
Past simple
touched down
yesterday
Past participle
touched down
have + pp
-ing form
touching down
continuous

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Synonyms

land alight set down arrive come down

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