touchdown point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touchdown point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to sports, aviation, or metaphorically to indicate a final destination or conclusion. Example: "The touchdown point for the football team was marked by the end zone, where they celebrated their victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

They therefore tried to touch down before the normal touchdown point, investigators said.

The New York Times

In 1883 he secured the adoption of a scale of numerical values for scoring by touchdown, point after touchdown, field goal, and safety.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The crew members compared that number to a chart showing the runway length; they did not realize that the computer's number included the "air run" distance from the end of the runway to the normal touchdown point.

The New York Times

The touchdown point, it is evident in hindsight, was much farther away than the runway, but that was not clear at the time, and, he said, "I couldn't afford to be wrong".

The New York Times

Some pilots and experts have noted that from the point the engines quit, the runways of La Guardia may have been closer than the eventual touchdown point on the Hudson, but that it may have been impossible for the crew to know that at the time.

The New York Times

As her investigators began interviewing the four pilots in the cockpit, they were looking at all possible causes, but they were trying to piece together how an experienced crew in an advanced jet with no obvious mechanical problems came down in near-perfect weather hundreds of feet from the intended touchdown point.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

That meant that coastal areas near touchdown points for Marine One, the presidential helicopter, demanded extra inspection.

The New York Times

The obtained spectral information will also provide significant information for selecting Hayabusa2's touchdown points.

Earth, Planets and Space

Such information will be used for choosing the touchdown points for sampling and also for investigating the distribution of the materials similar to the returned samples on Ryugu.

Earth, Planets and Space

A similar observation has been documented by Kellner and Niyogi (2013) where they spatially calculated touchdown points in Indiana to find that 61% of EF0-EF5 touchdown touchdowithinhin 1 3 km of urban landuse area bordering landcover classified as forest.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

The flare segment must perform soft landings within a desired range of touchdown points on the runway in the presence of parametric uncertainties, strong wind turbulence and ground effects.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're discussing the physical "touchdown point" on the field or the scoring of a touchdown, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "touchdown point" is accurate in aviation and sports, avoid using it metaphorically in general writing where simpler alternatives like "destination" or "arrival point" would be more appropriate and less jargonistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touchdown point" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing locations in aviation, space exploration, and sports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touchdown point" is a noun phrase that specifies the exact location of initial surface contact, primarily used in aviation, space exploration, and sports. As Ludwig AI highlights, it maintains a neutral register and serves to provide clarity and precision. While grammatically correct and common, it's best to reserve its use for technical or descriptive contexts, opting for simpler alternatives in more general writing. Common authoritative sources for this phrase include The New York Times and ScienceDirect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

landing spot

Focuses more generally on the location of landing, suitable in contexts where the precision of "point" is not necessary.

arrival location

Emphasizes the destination rather than the specific spot of contact.

target area

Highlights the broader region aimed for, useful when pinpoint accuracy isn't required.

designate location

Indicates an officially selected or marked place.

intended destination

Highlights the planned end location of a journey or activity.

final position

Refers to the end state or resting place after movement.

terminal spot

Implies the concluding place in a sequence or route.

impact zone

Suggests the region where contact or force is applied.

contact area

Highlights the zone where two objects or surfaces meet.

end location

Emphasizes the final place in a sequence, without specific focus on the point of contact.

FAQs

What does "touchdown point" mean in aviation?

In aviation, "touchdown point" refers to the specific location on a runway where an aircraft's wheels are expected to make initial contact during landing. It is a critical reference for pilots during their approach.

How is "touchdown point" used in the context of space exploration?

In space exploration, "touchdown point" denotes the precise location on a celestial body, such as Mars or an asteroid, where a spacecraft or lander is intended to land. Selecting a safe and scientifically interesting "landing spot" is crucial for mission success.

What are some alternative phrases for "touchdown point" in general use?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""landing spot"", "arrival location", or "intended destination" as alternatives for "touchdown point".

Is it correct to use "touchdown point" metaphorically?

While technically correct, using "touchdown point" metaphorically (e.g., in business or personal goals) can sound overly technical or jargonistic. Simpler alternatives like "end location" or "final position" might be more appropriate in those situations.