soft landing

American  

noun

Economics.

1. a slowing down of economic growth at a manageable rate relative to inflation and unemployment.

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soft landing British  

noun

1. a landing by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet at a sufficiently low velocity for the equipment or occupants to remain unharmed

2. a decrease in demand that does not result in a country's economy falling into recession

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Etymology

Origin of soft landing

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

But he was willing to name what he considers his greatest achievement: guiding the economy to a soft landing that virtually no one thought was possible.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Odysseus was the first privately funded lander to make a soft landing on the lunar surface.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

It’s a soft landing for his fall from grace.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Others think the bigger risk to the soft landing comes not from the labor market but from resilient consumers keeping inflation stuck above 2%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

Mr. Retro comes to a soft landing in our backyard.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas