countdown
- 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.
- the final preparations made during this period.
- a period of increasing activity, tension, or anxiety, as before a deadline.
Origin of countdown
Examples from the Web for countdown
Contemporary Examples of countdown
Dickens greeted the crowd, gave a few tips and instructions, then led us in a countdown from ten to one.
From Will Ferrell crashing a World Cup rally to a cliff dive Slip ‘n Slide, WATCH our countdown of this week’s buzziest videos.
Will Ferrell Soccer Speech, Cliff Dive Slip ‘N Slides, and More Viral VideosAlex Chancey
June 29, 2014
From Kimmel and Kanye burying the hatchet to a telekinetic coffee shop surprise, WATCH our countdown.
The Countdown is on, but, as Kate knows, babies come when they are ready...
Or did I remember them creating a countdown calendar to the release date?
Historical Examples of countdown
Although attentive, he was not tense, even during the countdown.
Subspace SurvivorsE. E. Smith
It was like the countdown for a rocket firing, Rick thought.
The Flaming MountainHarold Leland Goodwin
The next night, the big news was the countdown in process at Canaveral to put a functioning "dome" on the moon.
Prologue to an AnalogueLeigh Richmond
He hoped the launching crew had gotten their fingers frozen off while they were going through the countdown.
Pushbutton WarJoseph P. Martino
By agreement, the countdown was to be broadcast to all aircraft over one of the airport frequencies.
The Flaming MountainHarold Leland Goodwin
countdown
- the act of counting backwards to time a critical operation exactly, such as the launching of a rocket or the detonation of explosives
- to count numbers backwards towards zero, esp in timing such a critical operation