landing

noun

land·​ing ˈlan-diŋ How to pronounce landing (audio)
1
: an act or process of one that lands
especially : a going or bringing to a surface (such as land or shore) after a voyage or flight
2
: a place for discharging and taking on passengers and cargo
3
: a level part of a staircase (as at the end of a flight of stairs)
4
landings plural : the amount of fish or shellfish landed annually in a particular area

Example Sentences

The plane made a smooth landing. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing. The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. Landing in high winds can be dangerous. Our plane was cleared for landing. We stopped to rest at the first floor landing. I waited at the landing for the ferry. See More
Recent Examples on the Web American, and theoretically other carriers, will pay for the new terminal through leases on gates, landing fees and other rents paid to the airport. Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 16 May 2023 The landing allows the Air Force to test the capabilities of the plane, which is smaller than the C-130s and other large tankers Alaskans may be more familiar with, Giaquinto said. Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 13 May 2023 There’s a lot to like about Indiana as a landing spot. Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2023 These supercaps are a critical safety mechanism designed to force the plane’s door open in the event of a hard landing. Daniel Oberhaus, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2023 For President Joe Biden, the past few days have raised hopes that the U.S. economy can stick a soft landing—possibly avoiding a recession as the 2024 election nears. Josh Boak, ajc, 6 May 2023 The half bath is between the first and second floor on the landing. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 4 May 2023 After its two landings, MMX will leave the surface and send its collected samples back to Earth in a capsule. Jonathan O'callaghan, Scientific American, 2 May 2023 Both nations suffered dozens of failures before making successful landings in 1966. Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 25 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'landing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of landing was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near landing

Cite this Entry

“Landing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landing. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

landing

noun
land·​ing ˈlan-diŋ How to pronounce landing (audio)
1
: the action of one that lands
2
: a place (as a wharf) for unloading or taking on passengers and cargo
3
: the level part of a staircase (as between flights of stairs)

More from Merriam-Webster on landing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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