belly-land

[ bel-ee-land ]

verb (used with object)

1. (of an aviator) to land (an aircraft) directly on the fuselage, as because of defective landing gear.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an aircraft) to land directly on the fuselage, without using the landing gear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of belly-land¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

But there is a chance I can belly-land without that grenade blowing.

From Project Gutenberg