Definition
The portion of the final approach segment of the traffic pattern closest to the runway, typically the last quarter mile or so before touchdown, where the aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and descending to land.
Plain English
The last stretch of the approach to the runway, just before the wheels touch down.
Context Anchor
Used in airport traffic pattern discussions, radio calls, and collision-risk discussions near the runway.
Derivation
Final' refers to the final leg of the rectangular traffic pattern -- the straight-in approach to the runway. 'Short' simply means the aircraft is now near the end of that leg, close to the runway. So 'short final' = the last, short part of the final approach.
Why Pilots Care
Many mid-air collisions occur here because multiple aircraft converge on the same narrow path to the runway.
Intuition Check
Short final does not mean a shortened landing procedure. It means the close-in end of the normal landing path, just before reaching the runway.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot announced 'short final, runway 18' about a quarter mile from the threshold.
Example Sentence 2
With another aircraft already on short final, we extended our downwind to increase spacing.