splashdown

noun

splash·​down ˈsplash-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce splashdown (audio)
plural splashdowns
: the landing of a crewed spacecraft in the ocean
splash down intransitive verb

Examples of splashdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If all goes according to plan, the entire flight will be automated from liftoff through splashdown. ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025 They are expected to return to Earth with a splashdown at sea. Tariq Malik, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2025 The vehicle was preparing to plunge out of orbit and back into Earth’s atmosphere, twirling toward a safe splashdown in the ocean — and leaving fuel in its wake. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025 On both missions, the upper stage — which SpaceX calls Starship, or simply Ship — was supposed to make a soft splashdown off the coast of Western Australia about 65 minutes after liftoff. Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for splashdown

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of splashdown was in 1959

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Cite this Entry

“Splashdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splashdown. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

splashdown

noun
splash·​down ˈsplash-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce splashdown (audio)
: the landing of a spacecraft in the ocean

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