Definition
The transition maneuver flown just before touchdown in which the pilot smoothly changes the airplane's flight path from the descending approach attitude to a path nearly parallel to the runway, slowing the descent rate so the airplane settles gently onto the landing surface.
Plain English
The gentle leveling-off you do a few feet above the runway right before landing, so the airplane stops descending sharply and settles softly onto the wheels.
Context Anchor
You encounter roundout during landing practice, especially when learning how to judge height above the runway and begin the final landing motion at the right time.
Derivation
From 'round' (to make curved or smooth) plus 'out' (to completion). The name describes the maneuver itself: rounding out the sharp descending angle into a smooth, near-level path.
Why Pilots Care
A correctly timed roundout produces a smooth touchdown and prevents bounces or loss of control.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane descending toward the runway, then smoothly changing to skim just above it before the wheels touch.
Intuition Check
Roundout does not mean turning in a circle or completing the whole landing. It means smoothing the airplane’s path from descent to near-level flight just before touchdown.
Example Sentence 1
On short final the instructor reminded her to begin the roundout about ten feet above the runway.
Example Sentence 2
An early roundout can cause the aircraft to float down the runway.