The translational energy (E-T) dependence of CO chemisorption has been investigated on Pd(110). A steep increase from 0.61 to 0.93 is observed in the initial sticking probability S-0 with increasing E-T from 27 to 93 meV. Comparison to density functional theory calculations suggests a steering-mediated adsorption channel, driving slow molecules towards less favorable surface sites. This long-range interaction between CO and the Pd d-orbitals screens the potential influence of the surface structural corrugations on the CO adsorption and thus provides an explanation to the well-known structure insensitivity of CO adsorption on Pd surfaces. For E-T > 93 meV the adsorption reverts back to the direct chemisorption mechanism found on other Group VIII metals. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.