liftoff

American  

[lift-awf, -of] / ˈlɪftˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

Or lift-off

noun

1. Aeronautics, Rocketry.

   1. the action of an aircraft in becoming airborne or of a rocket in rising from its launching site under its own power.

   2. the instant when such action occurs.

2. Informal. the launching or commencement of a project, plan, etc..

   The liftoff of the sales campaign will be next month.

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adjective

1. able to be shifted or removed by lifting off; capable of being lifted off.

   I organized the workshop with these liftoff adhesive labels for bins and shelves.

   We used magnetic liftoff nameplates on the lockers.

liftoff British  

/ ˈlɪftˌɒf /

noun

1. the initial movement or ascent of a rocket from its launch pad

2. the instant at which this occurs

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verb

1. (intr, adverb) (of a rocket) to leave its launch pad

Etymology

Origin of liftoff

First recorded in 1955–60; noun and adjective use of verb phrase lift off

Example Sentences

The SLS generated 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and, by every measure engineers care about, performed to plan.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

After a powerful liftoff Wednesday, Artemis II’s journey to the moon has been about as mundane as a deep space mission can get.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The boosters disconnect from the Core Stage shortly after liftoff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

This time the FAA gave pilots a heads-up an hour and 40 minutes before liftoff.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2026

"Yeah, um," Mindy said, opening a document on her computer, "this is the entire mission log for Sols 1 through 6. From MDV touchdown to MAV emergency liftoff."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• launch