countdown
Americannoun
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the backward counting in fixed time units from the initiation of a project, as a rocket launching, with the moment of firing designated as zero.
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the final preparations made during this period.
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a period of increasing activity, tension, or anxiety, as before a deadline.
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of countdown
1950–55, noun use of verb phrase count down
Explanation
When you list a sequence of numbers in reverse order, ending in zero, that's a countdown. When you're preparing to launch your model rocket, you can make it more exciting with a countdown! "Five, four, three, two, one, blast off!" is a countdown that may sound familiar if you've ever watched footage of a NASA space shuttle launch. You might also hear a countdown on New Year's Eve, as revelers count down the seconds until midnight and the beginning of a new year. This word comes from American English, first appearing in the 1950s in the context of rocket launches.
Vocabulary lists containing countdown
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Officials for the Huntington say the countdown is on.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
The countdown to the school district’s own transformation is underway.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
Harry is in the UK on a five-day trip to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Harry, 41, is visiting to mark the one-year countdown towards next year's Invictus Games, launched by the prince in 2014 for wounded veterans.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
After a silent countdown from three, they each thrust a hand forward, smacking the side of the car.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
PST, the program will air live starting in New York and continue with countdowns in Chicago, Las Vegas and elsewhere.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 29, 2025
“Night Flight” aired a wider variety of acts, and originated many of the eventual staples of MTV’s programming — video countdowns, artist profiles and the like.
From New York Times ● Mar. 27, 2024
Anticipation before the landing was feverish, with banner headlines across Indian newspapers and news channels running countdowns to the landing.
From Reuters ● Aug. 23, 2023
This time with the game again on the line, Karinchak struck out Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, oblivious to the taunting pitch-clock countdowns from the crowd.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2023
After a few more stretches, and Aaron's way-too-serious countdowns, it was time to run.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.