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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of countdown

1950–55, noun use of verb phrase count down

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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

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

Now, imagine all that delirium, sign-waving and call-in voting was in service of pushing Art Garfunkel to the pinnacle of the premier music video countdown.

From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026

This is about players who deliberately delay the restart of play, so a countdown does not begin as soon as the ball goes out.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

I was tense as I began the countdown.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Many on social media considered these countdowns underwhelming, both outside and within the fandom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 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

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