touchdown

American  

[tuhch-doun] / ˈtʌtʃˌdaʊn /

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.

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touchdown British  

/ 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.  TD.  American football a scoring play worth six points, achieved by being in possession of the ball in the opposing team's end zone See also field goal

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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

Etymology

Origin of touchdown

First recorded in 1860–65; touch + down ¹

Example Sentences

But after much disagreement, the replacement officials mistakenly awarded Seattle a touchdown—and the victory.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was named team MVP his senior year and finished his college career with nine interceptions and 40 pass deflections, as well as one punt return for a touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times

McCarthy, who went 6-4 last year but had more interceptions than touchdown passes.

From Los Angeles Times

Two years later, on “Life Round Here,” he repeats, “Everything feels like touchdown on a rainy day.”

From Los Angeles Times

He finished last season with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• goal
• score
• six points