touchdown English · revision 10794

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1864|origins=en touch|origins=en down}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtʌtʃ.daʊn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from the verb phrase touch down, attested in sport by 1859,^(Etymonline) from [[touch]] and [[down]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In rugby, the act of placing the ball on the ground behind the goal line to score: 1864.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Touch as the act of touching the ground with the ball behind the goal is attested by 1857.^(Etymonline) In American football the touchdown became the main scoring play, worth six points.^(AHD) The landing of an aircraft, or later a spacecraft, is a touchdown by 1935.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1859 – to touch down (sport).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1864 – a touchdown (rugby).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1935 – an aircraft's landing.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(American football)'' A score of six points made by carrying or catching the ball over the opponent's goal line.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(rugby)'' The act of grounding the ball behind the goal line.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # The moment when an aircraft or spacecraft lands.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[touch]]

+ * [[down]]

+ * [[touchline]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}