send-off

[ send-awf, -of ]

/ ˈsɛndˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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See synonyms for send-off on Thesaurus.com

noun

a demonstration of good wishes for a person setting out on a trip, career, or other venture: They gave him a rousing send-off at the pier.

a start given to a person or thing.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of send-off

1855–60, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase send off

Words nearby send-off

sender, Sendero Luminoso, send flying, send for, send in, send-off, send on, send out, send round, send someone about his or her business, send someone packing

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

How to use send-off in a sentence

And in the final send-off, the Daily Show correspondents could not have been more glad...to see Oliver go.
Colbert’s Olympic Solution, ‘Breaking Bad’ Romcom & More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|August 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Margaret Thatcher is to be accorded a send-off filled with pomp and ceremony in London on Wednesday.
Full Details of Plans for Thatcher’s Funeral on Wednesday|Tom Sykes|April 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On Thursday he took his final send-off in a patterned eggplant silk ensemble.
The Emperor Wears Pajamas!|Misty White Sidell|February 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Thoughts on the inaugural speech, the send-off of the Bushes, and the strange karma of Dick Cheney in wheelchair.
Obama's Money Quote|Christopher Buckley|January 20, 2009|DAILY BEAST

One of our students enlisted to-day, and they're givin' him a send-off.
Ramsey Milholland|Booth Tarkington
"It's quite a send-off for the Colonel," said Caldwell, who was wont at times to use the title facetiously.
The Dwelling Place of Light, Complete|Winston Churchill
So the stay-at-homes loyally crushed down their feeling of envy and united in a hearty send-off for their fellows.
The Secret Wireless|Lewis E. Theiss
It gave him a good send-off for the day, and saved him from many a mistake and many a worry.
Nervous Breakdowns and How to Avoid Them|Charles David Musgrove
We had a send-off, all the village came to seePg 318 us go away.
The Luck of Thirteen|Jan Gordon

British Dictionary definitions for send-off

sendoff

/ (ˈsɛndˌɒf) /

noun informal

a demonstration of good wishes to a person about to set off on a journey, new career, etc

a start, esp an auspicious one, to a venture

verb send off (tr, adverb)

to cause to depart; despatch

sport (of the referee) to dismiss (a player) from the field of play for some offence

informal to give a sendoff to

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 send-off

send off

see send away, def. 1.