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.
There are many things to watch for on this test flight, including the deployment of 10 satellite simulators to test the ship's payload accommodations and the performance of a beefed-up heat shield as the vehicle blazes through the atmosphere for reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025 For its first half-dozen flights, Ship has targeted ocean splashdowns, but SpaceX aims to test Ship's return to the launch pad on an upcoming flight. Mike Wall, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025 The booster, meanwhile, conducted its own splashdown in the Gulf; last month, SpaceX recovered part of its outer ring of engines. Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 13 Oct. 2024 If the necessary conditions are not met, however, the booster will instead head for the Gulf of Mexico for a landing burn and soft splashdown. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 6 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near splashdown

Cite this Entry

“Splashdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splashdown. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

splashdown

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

More from Merriam-Webster on splashdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!