countdown

American  

[kaunt-daun] / 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.

---

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

---

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

That would be an exceptionally short countdown by astronomical standards, potentially giving researchers an extraordinary opportunity to investigate how supermassive black holes approach their final collision.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

Celebrate the live countdown to the No. 1 restaurant in LA with a premium dining experience.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

Many watched the verdict live Wednesday on a screen in a square in the capital, Pristina, where a countdown clock had been ticking down to the ruling for days.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

There’s the classic adrenaline of a live auction, paired with a countdown clock that never stops ticking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 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

“A Love Supreme” has all the accolades — constant mentions on countdowns of the greatest albums, preservation in both the Smithsonian and National Recording Registry, platinum sales in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 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

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

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

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

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---