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
Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
That first season was one that featured 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns, yes, but a bulk of that production also came with backup quarterback Andy Dalton at the helm.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The weather service sent a survey team to North Kansas City on Monday to investigate whether a tornado touched down there as the storms moved through the metro with brilliant lightning and booming thunder.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for touchdown
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Noun
In 69 games across five seasons with the 49ers, Aiyuk amassed 4,305 receiving yards, 294 catches and 25 touchdowns, while hitting the 1,000-yard mark in both 2022 and 2023.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
That first season was one that featured 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns, yes, but a bulk of that production also came with backup quarterback Andy Dalton at the helm.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Verb
After touching down at Charles de Gaulle Airport, the pair of besties wander the city, hitting flea markets and clubs alike.
—Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The weather service sent a survey team to North Kansas City on Monday to investigate whether a tornado touched down there as the storms moved through the metro with brilliant lightning and booming thunder.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for touchdown
Cite this Entry
“Touchdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchdown. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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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