touchdown

[ tuhch-doun ]

noun

1. Football. an act or instance of scoring six points by being in possession of the ball on or behind the opponent's goal line.
2. Rugby. the act of a player who touches the ball on or to the ground inside his own in-goal.
3. the act or the moment of landing:

   the aircraft's touchdown.

touchdown

/ ˈtʌtʃˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the moment at which a landing aircraft or spacecraft comes into contact with the landing surface
2. rugby the act of placing or touching the ball on the ground behind the goal line, as in scoring a try
3. American football a scoring play worth six points, achieved by being in possession of the ball in the opposing team's end zone TD See also field goal

verb

1. (of a space vehicle, aircraft, etc) to land
2. rugby to place the ball behind the goal line, as when scoring a try
3. informal.
   to pause during a busy schedule in order to catch up, reorganize, or rest

Word History and Origins

Origin of touchdown¹

First recorded in 1860–65; touch + down ¹

Example Sentences

Last week in the City Section Division I quarterfinals, he caught five passes for 205 yards and one touchdown in a win over Westchester.

From Los Angeles Times

Worn down by all that running, Foster pulled up with cramps on what should have been a long touchdown run.

From Los Angeles Times

Dobbins, who rushed for 27 yards in 10 carries before popping the game-winning touchdown for 29 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, has no problem with a patient approach.

From Los Angeles Times

Reyes finished his sophomore season with 1,520 yards and 22 touchdowns.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers went three-and-out on their opening drive, but scored touchdowns on their next three possessions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• goal
• score
• six points