Synonyms

countdown

American

[kount-doun] / ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /

noun

the backward counting in fixed time units from the initiation of a project, as a rocket launching, with the moment of firing designated as zero.
the final preparations made during this period.
a period of increasing activity, tension, or anxiety, as before a deadline.

countdown British

/ ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /

noun

the act of counting backwards to time a critical operation exactly, such as the launching of a rocket or the detonation of explosives

"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

verb

to count numbers backwards towards zero, esp in timing such a critical operation

"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

Etymology

Origin of countdown

1950–55, noun use of verb phrase count down

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.

A moment later, the countdown began, and I hazarded a glance in my mom’s direction.

From Literature

A countdown echoes from a Tannoy: "Three, two, one."

From BBC

Following the success of the eight-second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball, new countdown measures are set to be approved.

From BBC

Nasa set the launch date following a successful "wet dress rehearsal" - a critical pre-launch test where the rocket is filled with fuel and taken through the countdown sequence.

From BBC

Jonah looked down at the screen of the Elucidator, which seemed to be engaged in some kind of countdown: 10, 9, 8 .

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023