Plain English Meaning

The part of the flight where the pilot sets the airplane up to land — slowing down, lowering the gear and flaps, and flying a steady descent toward the runway, right up to the point where the actual touchdown begins.

Full Definition

The phase of flight that begins when the airplane leaves the traffic pattern or final approach fix and continues until the airplane crosses the runway threshold to begin the landing flare. It involves configuring the airplane (flaps, landing gear, airspeed) and establishing a stabilized descent path aligned with the intended runway.