hard landing

American  

noun

1. Aeronautics. an uncontrolled or rough landing by an aircraft or spacecraft, usually resulting in damage.

2. Economics. an economic downturn or recession after a period of strong demand and expansion.

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hard landing British  

noun

1. a landing by a rocket or spacecraft in which the vehicle is destroyed on impact

2. a sharp fall into recession following a sustained period of economic growth

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Example Sentences

Micron Technology shares are flying high for all the right fundamental reasons — but by one technical measure, they now look primed for a hard landing.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 2, 2026

“The key takeaway remains: if the economy avoids a hard landing, the AI trade—which is a secular, multiyear theme of productivity growth—will simply carry on,” said Tigay at Catalyst Hedged Equity Fund.

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

As a result of a hard landing, the BOE would be confronted with “an even more dramatic inflation undershoot” than in a bumpy landing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

We may be coming in for a hard landing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

Her hard landing made the branch sway to and fro, but she had sea legs enough to manage it, after all the traveling she had done.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood