splashdown

noun

splash·​down ˈsplash-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce splashdown (audio)
plural splashdowns
Synonyms of splashdownnext
: the landing of a crewed spacecraft in the ocean
splash down intransitive verb

Examples of splashdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Navy divers will be the first to approach the capsule, and NASA aims to have the crew transferred to the ship's medical bay within approximately two hours of splashdown. Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026 Since the splashdown was unplanned, few members of the media were on site, though NASA and military photographers were there. Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026 Another photo shows the Gemini 8 spacecraft being lifted after the splashdown. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026 Reaching its target speed of Mach 8 and an altitude of about 16 miles (26 km), the vehicle flew approximately 540 nautical miles (621 miles, 1,000 km) before splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. David Szondy march 02, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for splashdown

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of splashdown was in 1959

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Cite this Entry

“Splashdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splashdown. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

splashdown

noun
splash·​down ˈsplash-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce splashdown (audio)
: the landing of a spacecraft in the ocean

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