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

After rushing for three highlight-reel plays last week against the Tennessee Titans — a four-yard touchdown, an ankle-breaking juke and a defender-dropping pump-fake — Herbert is only beginning to reveal his athleticism on a national stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Herbert scored his first rushing touchdown in more than a year last week, improvising on a fourth down in the red zone that was called for the quarterback to rush out wide to the right side.

From Los Angeles Times

With an unblocked defender blowing up the play in the backfield, Herbert cut back to his left, slithering through the defense for a four-yard touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times

He broke his leg as a junior at Sheldon on a 35-yard run, halting a promising season that included 10 touchdown passes in the first three games.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bruins committed nine penalties against Iowa, costing them 84 yards and at least four points after a penalty on a Hawkeyes field-goal attempt gave them a first down leading to a touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• goal
• score
• six points