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Synonyms

takeoff

American  
[tayk-awf, -of] / ˈteɪkˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
Or take-off

noun

  • takeoffs
    plural
  1. a taking or setting off; the leaving of the ground, as in leaping or in beginning a flight in an airplane.

  2. a taking off from a starting point, as in beginning a race.

  3. the place or point at which a person or thing takes off.

  4. a humorous or satirical imitation; burlesque.

  5. Machinery. a shaft geared to a main shaft for running auxiliary machinery.

  6. a branch connection to a pipe, electric line, etc.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of takeoff

First recorded in 1820–30; noun use of verb phrase take 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:

Archer Aviation is launching electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi networks in Austin, Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

That proved handy during a recent flight to Rome, when a passenger a couple of rows down started asking for help shortly after takeoff.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

But just moments after takeoff, the helicopter crashed into the ocean near Pebbly Beach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Transport officials said the damage impacted the Terminal Radar Approach Control system, which is used to guide planes during takeoff and landing.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

“He’s got a power takeoff back there,” Abel Martinson pointed out.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Teams also closely monitored how the X-59 performed during takeoffs, landings, and flight operations.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 1, 2026

Sometimes that means longer flight routes or startlingly rapid takeoffs and landings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

LAX is still considered one of the busiest airports in the world when ranked by takeoffs and landings, but it fell from No. 6 to No. 7, according to ACI.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2025

All takeoffs from Israel’s main airport were halted for several hours; restaurants closed; the country’s largest port stopped working.

From Slate ● Feb. 19, 2025

There were no clever skits, no farcical takeoffs on the subject of Stanley Martin and the Nipe.

From Anything You Can Do ... by Randall Garrett

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