countdown

[ kount-doun ]

/ ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /

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See synonyms for countdown on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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Origin of countdown

1950–55, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase count down

Words nearby countdown

countable, countably additive function, countably compact set, count against, countback, countdown, countenance, counter, counteract, counterargument, counterattack

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use countdown in a sentence

There’s the promise of privacy, but it comes with a countdown.
What floor?|Sophia Nguyen|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
To add a special pop to your countdown, give HGTV’s confetti pinata a spin.
Make your own New Year’s ball, and 4 other family party ideas|Purbita Saha|December 31, 2020|Popular-Science
The warning soon changed to a 15-minute countdown, prompting some residents to flee.
Nashville Police Chief says Anthony Q. Warner is a person of interest in the Christmas morning explosion|Derek Hawkins, Michael Kranish, Simone Sebastian, Meryl Kornfield|December 27, 2020|Washington Post
I was surprised by how nervous I was, watching the countdown clock tick down to launch.
My satellite would fit in a small suitcase.|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review

Former Councilman Scott Sherman famously had a countdown of the number of days he had left in office.
Politics Report: What the Dramatic Council President Contest Taught Us|Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts|December 12, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Dickens greeted the crowd, gave a few tips and instructions, then led us in a countdown from ten to one.
Chicago’s Running of the Bulls|Hampton Stevens|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Videos|Alex Chancey|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From Kimmel and Kanye burying the hatchet to a telekinetic coffee shop surprise, WATCH our countdown.
‘We Can’t Stop’ a Cappella, Coffee Shop Telekinesis & More Viral Videos|Natasha Bach|October 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Countdown is on, but, as Kate knows, babies come when they are ready...
Kate's Last Day of Work Tomorrow Suggests Early July Due Date|Tom Sykes|June 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Or did I remember them creating a countdown calendar to the release date?
‘Great Gatsby’ Reviewers Divided: Is Baz Luhrmann a Good Director?|Kevin Fallon|May 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By agreement, the countdown was to be broadcast to all aircraft over one of the airport frequencies.
The Flaming Mountain|Harold Leland Goodwin
"Four minutes to final countdown," blockhouse control replied.
Make Mine Homogenized|Rick Raphael
From the loud-speaker atop the massive block-house came the countdown.
Make Mine Homogenized|Rick Raphael
I strap down on the couch which fills half the compartment, countdown begins and at zero the floor is suddenly down once more.
The Lost Kafoozalum|Pauline Ashwell
During my countdown of five seconds you will build up to the greatest possible potential.
Masters of Space|Edward Elmer Smith

British Dictionary definitions for countdown

countdown

/ (ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn) /

noun

the act of counting backwards to time a critical operation exactly, such as the launching of a rocket or the detonation of explosives

verb count down (intr, adverb)

to count numbers backwards towards zero, esp in timing such a critical operation

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with countdown

count down

Count backward from any number to zero to indicate time, as in The final seconds before take off were counted down: 10, 9, 8, etc. The down in this term refers to the decreasing size of the numbers. This usage originated in connection with the firing of missiles and spacecraft and has since been broadened to such events as the roll call of states at a political convention. [c. 1950]

Make final preparations for an event, as in Hong Kong was counting down to the day when it became part of mainland China. This usage is derived from def. 1. [Late 1950s]