Definition of touch down

The term "touch down" originated in the late 19th century and was initially used in aviation. In the early days of flight, landing a plane was a challenging and dangerous task. Pilots would guide their aircraft towards the ground, aiming to "touch" the surface with all four wheels at once, hence the term "touch down." This action would prevent the plane from bouncing off the runway and enable the pilot to bring the aircraft to a safe stop. As aviation technology advanced, the concept of "touch down" became more refined, with pilots learning to execute a smooth and controlled landing. The phrase also made its way into American football, where it now signifies a successful touchdown catch, scored when a player catches the ball in the opposing team's end zone, touches the ground, and brings both feet or any body part other than the hands in bounds. In this sense, "touch down" has taken on a slightly different meaning, but its origins remain grounded in the fundamentals of landing safely - whether in the air or on the football field.