send-off
noun
a demonstration of good wishes for a person setting out on a trip, career, or other venture.
send-off
American
[send-awf, -of]
/ ˈsɛndˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
noun
-
send-offs
plural
-
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.
send off
Idioms
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of send-off
1855–60, noun use of verb phrase send off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Gross-out moments aside, “Best and Last,” is an unexpectedly poignant send-off, a wet-cheeked farewell to over 20 years of camaraderie and laughter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
Thousands of Cubans joined him at the send-off near Revolution Square.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
Jordan, one of the NBA's all-time greats, and City's former captain Vincent Kompany were surprise participants in Guardiola's send-off at Co-Op Live arena, which was attended by 19,000 supporters.
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
There was a chance to give a proper send-off to two former players, too.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
“I remember in primary six, I took this girl to the send-off party and my mom dropped both of us off and gave the girl a handkerchief. She said, “A lady always needs a handkerchief!
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Usila Koech and her husband, Amos Koech, drove in from Las Vegas to send off their son, Kiprotich.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
If this was it for the little man, what a send off.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
When police came to arrest her, Klette managed to send off a text message to Garweg, allowing him to escape from his Berlin hideout.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham says the decision to send off team-mate Eduardo Camavinga during their 4-3 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich was "a joke".
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
I drew more and more, thinking that come spring, perhaps I might be able to send off a message somehow.
From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys
He also struggled in The Hundred, where it was evident he was getting big send-offs from the opposition and receiving banter about being England's 'Golden Boy', which was unkind.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2025
There was lots of humor and lighthearted banter as well as some sentimental, respectful send-offs to the old guard as the new generation took over.
From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2024
But in Chicago, Lorie McCann said her union chapter planned fewer retirement send-offs than usual.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 1, 2023
All three series delivered fine send-offs that left their devoted fanbases smiling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2022
The girls took her coming departure with many objections, but they proceeded to give her various send-offs.
From Kit of Greenacre Farm by Izola L. (Izola Louise) Forrester
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
