Pronunciation: [lˈandfɔːl] (IPA) 
The word "landfall" is spelled with a silent "d". The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /lændfɔːl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by an "n" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by an "l" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "o" sound and a silent "d". This word refers to the point where land is first seen after a journey by sea or air.
Landfall is a noun that refers to the act of reaching or arriving at land after being at sea. It can also describe the point at which a storm, such as a hurricane or typhoon, makes its first contact with land. In this sense, landfall is significant as it marks the situation where the destructive forces of the storm begin to impact the coastal region.
When used to describe the arrival of a vessel or aircraft, landfall signifies a crucial milestone in a journey or voyage. It signifies the initial sighting or arrival at the coastline or landmass, marking the end of a sea-based excursion. For navigators and explorers, landfall represents a moment of relief and accomplishment, as it signifies a safe return to solid ground and the resumption of contact with civilization.
In the context of weather events, landfall becomes a point of concern as it represents the hazard of a storm system interacting with coastal areas. Once a storm makes landfall, it brings forth a range of potentially hazardous conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds, storm surges, and potential flooding. The landfall of a storm is therefore closely monitored by meteorologists and emergency management authorities to enable timely warnings, evacuations, and disaster preparedness measures.
In summary, landfall can refer to the arrival of a vessel or aircraft at land, or the point at which a storm system first makes contact with land. Both definitions emphasize the significance of reaching land after a maritime journey or the potential hazards associated with the impact of a storm on coastal regions.
The first land discovered after a voyage.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "landfall" originated from the combination of two Old English words: "land" and "fall".
The term "land" traces its roots back to the Germanic languages, where the Old English word "land" meant "earth" or "ground". It has Germanic origins, going back to the Proto-Germanic word "landą".
The second component, "fall", is derived from the Old English word "feallan", which meant "to fall" or "to descend". It ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word "fallaną".
In combination, "landfall" refers to the event of a ship or aircraft coming to or reaching the land after a journey at sea. The word can also metaphorically denote a significant arrival or encounter.
