landfall

noun

land·​fall ˈlan(d)-ˌfȯl How to pronounce landfall (audio)
1
: a sighting of land after a voyage or flight
2
: a reaching of land (as by a traveler, craft, or storm)
3
: the land first sighted on a voyage or flight

Examples of landfall in a Sentence

From the deck of the boat, we saw our first landfall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
See photo gallery: Photos show impact of Hurricane Erick after landfall along Mexico Pacific coast The activity was due in part to a large-scale climate pattern known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation, which is an eastward-moving disturbance of clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 June 2025 Hurricane Erick Rain, Thunderstorms Map Coastal regions near and west of Erick's landfall were threatened by storm surges and large, damaging waves. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Otis underwent some of the most extreme rapid intensification on record and strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane just before landfall. Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 19 June 2025 In 2020 alone, nine tropical systems went through rapid intensification before landfall. Maureen McCann, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for landfall

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of landfall was in 1627

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Landfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landfall. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

landfall

noun
land·​fall ˈlan(d)-ˌfȯl How to pronounce landfall (audio)
1
: a sighting or making of land after a voyage or flight
2
: the land first sighted on a voyage or flight
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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