takeoff

or take-off

[ teyk-awf, -of ]

/ ˈteɪkˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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See synonyms for takeoff on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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

a humorous or satirical imitation; burlesque.

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

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

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of takeoff

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

Words nearby takeoff

taken aback, take no for an answer, not, take-no-prisoners, take note, take notes, takeoff, take offense, take office, take off one's hands, take off one's hat to, take on

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

How to use takeoff in a sentence

Sunday’s launch looked like it might not have been on track to go well at first, with an initial attempt seeing the rocket’s ignition light – but without a takeoff.
bluShift Aerospace launches its first rocket powered by biofuels|Darrell Etherington|February 1, 2021|TechCrunch
On Saturday, heavy rain in Jakarta delayed the takeoff for the 90-minute flight to Pontianak on the island of Borneo.
What to know about the missing Boeing 737 plane that disappeared over the Java Sea|Claire Zillman, reporter|January 10, 2021|Fortune
It has a gross takeoff mass of 25,000kg—massive for an uncrewed aerial vehicle.
Rocket Report: Billionaire backs Scottish spaceport, Relativity bags a bundle|Eric Berger|December 4, 2020|Ars Technica
Last time around in May, Virgin Orbit’s flight went perfectly from takeoff through the separation of LauncherOne from the carrier aircraft.
Virgin Orbit targets launch window on December 19 for second orbital test launch|Darrell Etherington|November 30, 2020|TechCrunch

It needs a runway at least 590 feet long for takeoff and 100 feet long for landings.
This Flying Car Costs $599K—and It’s Now Street Legal in Holland|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|October 29, 2020|Singularity Hub
An F-35 was destroyed on takeoff earlier in the year when a design flaw in its Pratt & Whitney F135 engine sparked a fire.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prepare for takeoff, because quality vacation time will certainly boost your mood.
9 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder|DailyBurn|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before takeoff, there were warning signs about the doctor's condition.
Was Flying Hero Doctor With Ebola to the U.S. the Wrong Call?|Abby Haglage|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the pilots prepared for takeoff, Breman sensed their unease.
The Original Ebola Hunter|Abby Haglage|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The hybrid aircraft have a vertical takeoff and landing capability.
U.S. Diplomats and Marines Close Embassy and Flee Libya Fighting|Jamie Dettmer|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He braced himself, knowing the siren was the last warning before takeoff.
The Colors of Space|Marion Zimmer Bradley
The ship was so completely stabilized that the passengers did not even have to sit down during takeoff.
The Memory of Mars|Raymond F. Jones
They practiced for months at bomber takeoff from a field the same length as the deck of a carrier which had never been done.
The Biography of a Rabbit|Roy Benson
Tom, however, got a bad takeoff and would have fallen back into the canyon head first if Jim and Juarez had not gripped him.
The Frontier Boys in the Grand Canyon|Wyn Roosevelt
After that came the laborious job of getting everyone in the ship strapped into their bunks for the takeoff.
The Judas Valley|Gerald Vance

British Dictionary definitions for takeoff

take off

verb (adverb)

(tr) to remove or discard (a garment)

(intr) (of an aircraft) to become airborne

informal to set out or cause to set out on a journeythey took off for Spain

(tr) (of a disease) to prove fatal to; kill

(tr) informal to mimic or imitate, esp in an amusing or satirical manner

(intr) informal to become successful or popular, esp suddenly

noun takeoff

the act or process of making an aircraft airborne

the stage of a country's economic development when rapid and sustained economic growth is first achieved

informal an act of mimicry; imitation

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 takeoff

take off

Remove, as in Take off your coat and stay for a while, or I took my foot off the brake. [c. 1300]

Deduct, decrease, as in He took 20 percent off the original price, or I want you to trim my hair, but please don't take off too much. [c. 1700]

Carry or take away, as in The passengers were taken off one by one. [Late 1800s]

Also, take oneself off. Leave, go away, as in I'm taking off now, or We take ourselves off for China next month, or, as an imperative, Take yourself off right now! [First half of 1800s]

Move forward quickly, as in The dog took off after the car.

Become well known or popular, or achieve sudden growth, as in That actor's career has really taken off, or Sales took off around the holidays. [Mid-1900s]

Rise in flight, as in The airplane took off on time. [Mid-1800s]

Discontinue, as in The railroad took off the commuter special. [Mid-1700s]

Imitate humorously or satirically, as in He had a way of taking off the governor that made us howl with laughter. [Mid-1700s]

Withhold service, as in I'm taking off from work today because of the funeral. [First half of 1900s]