1. the first sight or approach of land from the sea
Usage: nautical
2. the arrival of a ship at land after a voyage
Usage: nautical
3. the point where a hurricane or storm reaches the coast
Usage: meteorology

Examples

• After weeks at sea, the crew celebrated their first landfall.
• The hurricane made landfall near Miami early Tuesday morning.
• Columbus’s landfall in the Americas changed world history.
• The storm weakened significantly after landfall.
• Sailors eagerly awaited landfall after the long ocean crossing.
• The hurricane’s landfall caused widespread flooding along the coast.