takeoff
Americannoun
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a taking or setting off; the leaving of the ground, as in leaping or in beginning a flight in an airplane.
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a taking off from a starting point, as in beginning a race.
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the place or point at which a person or thing takes off.
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a humorous or satirical imitation; burlesque.
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Machinery. a shaft geared to a main shaft for running auxiliary machinery.
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a branch connection to a pipe, electric line, etc.
Etymology
Origin of takeoff
First recorded in 1820–30; noun use of verb phrase take off
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.
San Jose-based Archer and Santa Cruz-based Joby both plan to offer a commercial air-taxi service using electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOL.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Images from the scene showed the 34-year-old plane’s left engine tore from the wing during takeoff, causing pilots to lose control of the aircraft.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
An air traffic controller had just told the Frontier pilot they were clear for takeoff and wished them a good night.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
Its booster successfully landed on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean about nine minutes and 30 seconds after takeoff.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
But the bees remained there, like planes on a runway not knowing they’d been cleared for takeoff.
From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
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.
