takeoff
Americannoun
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takeoffs
plural
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a taking or setting off; the leaving of the ground, as in leaping or in beginning a flight in an airplane.
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a taking off from a starting point, as in beginning a race.
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the place or point at which a person or thing takes off.
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a humorous or satirical imitation; burlesque.
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Machinery. a shaft geared to a main shaft for running auxiliary machinery.
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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:
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
Julian Gewirtz, a China expert at Columbia University, calls the country’s economic takeoff “as much a story of bottom-up experimentation and exploration of international ideas as anything else.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 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
In July 1958, engine failure not long after takeoff forced him to the ground.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
His heartbeat slowed—still racing and ready for takeoff, but no longer desperate to crash through his chest.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Teams also closely monitored how the X-59 performed during takeoffs, landings, and flight operations.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 1, 2026
This week the FAA slowed takeoffs at several airports in response to growing shortages, including at air traffic control centers in Atlanta, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2025
Crews have refused aircraft, abandoned takeoffs or diverted because fumes had filled their cabins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 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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