countdown

American  

[kount-doun] / ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /

noun

countdowns plural

1. 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.

2. the final preparations made during this period.

3. a period of increasing activity, tension, or anxiety, as before a deadline.

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countdown British  

/ ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /

noun

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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• countdowns
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

countdown countdowns

Officials for the Huntington say the countdown is on.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Harry arrived in the UK on Monday in a visit to mark the one-year countdown to next year's Invictus Games for wounded veterans, which he founded.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

The countdown to the school district’s own transformation is underway.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

Each time there is a lightning strike inside the distance, the countdown clock resets to 30 minutes.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

It was ticking, faster and faster, almost like a countdown.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

The National Board of Review and the American Film Institute also named the movie in its best of the year countdowns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026

Wednesday’s launch was the third try with astronauts; two earlier countdowns were scuttled by rocket-related issues.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 5, 2024

“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

The countdowns after each clinch started last season — from the National League Wild Card Series through the NL Championship Series — but stalled in the World Series.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 2, 2023

After a few more stretches, and Aaron's way-too-serious countdowns, it was time to run.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds